Odisha: Four-Member Inquiry Committee To Probe Hanuman Jayanti Violence In Sambalpur

According to the press release, the team will submit its report to BJP President J P Nadda.

Four-member inquiry committee to probe Hanuman Jayanti violence in Sambalpur ( Image Source :ANI )

The Centre has constituted a four-member inquiry committee to probe the violence during Hanuman Jayanti procession in Odisha's Sambalpur that took place earlier this month. According to the press release, the team will submit its report to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President J P Nadda.

Lat week, the Odisha unit of BJP had written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting him to take steps for an inquiry by NIA into the violence in Sambalpur during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.

BJP's state unit president Manmohan Samal and several party MPs and MLAs in a letter had urged the Centre to direct the state government to take necessary measures to "restore law and order in Sambalpur" and ensure "communal harmony" in the western Odisha city.

"We strongly condemn the heinous act of communal violence and demand an impartial investigation by the NIA to unravel the conspiracy behind the incident, and strict action against the perpetrators," the party said in the letter, according to PTI.

On April 12, Wednesday, a violence broke out between two groups after stones were allegedly thrown at the bike rally taken out to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti in Sambalpur. The bike rally, which was participated in by over 1,000 motorcyclists, was organised as part of the celebrations for Hanuman Janmotsav that was observed on April 6.

A temporary stall and several vehicles were torched during the violence. The rally, which started at Dhanupali Police Station Chhak, was passing through the Motijharan Chhak when the stones were allegedly hurled at them.

Immediately after the incident, section 144 of the CrPC was imposed in several areas of the city. Internet services were also suspended to avoid spread of misinformation.

 A total of ten police personnel and around 12 Hanuman Jayanti coordination committee members, were injured in a stone pelting incident during the clash, reported PTI.