Internet services have been suspended in Odisha's Sambalpur district for 48 hours from 10 AM of Thursday after violence broke out during the Hanuman Jayanti rally in the city on Wednesday evening. Prohibitory order under section 144 of the CrPC has also been put in place in areas coming under six police stations - Town, Dhanupali, Khetrajpur, Ainthapali, Bareipali and Sadar reported PTI.
The step was taken to prevent the spread of inflammatory and motivated messages in social media platforms, which may disturb law and order situation in the local area.
"The situation is critical and miscreants are circulating false and inflammatory messages through social media to disturb public order in Sambalpur district," read the notification issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, DK Singh.
"No access to social media…WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & …. Suspension of internet/data services of all MSPs & ISPs and Broadband dial up system", the notification further read.
According to Sambalpur SP B Gangadhar, 43 people have been detained and 26 others booked under different sections of the IPC.
In order to maintain law and order, 30 platoons of police force have also been deployed in the city that will soon conduct flag march in sensitive areas, said SP Gangadhar to PTI.
Meanwhile, the police denied any conspiracy theory and said "We think it is a sporadic incident. Investigation is going on. The situation is now under control."
In the wake of the violence, a meeting will be convened on whether to allow the Hanuman Jayanti celebration and procession scheduled to be held on Friday, said the SP.
Violence erupted on Wednesday evening when stones were allegedly thrown at the bike rally taken out out to celebrate the Hanuman jayanti which is celebrated in Odisha on Maha Visuba Sankranti which falls on Friday this year.