Ten cops sustained injuries on Wednesday in an incident of violence that broke out during a bike rally held in Odisha’s 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. The incident comes ahead of the Maha Vishuba Sankranti or the Odia New Year, which will be celebrated on April 14. Section 144 has been clamped in the area.
A temporary stall and several vehicles were torched during the violence. The violence reportedly ensued when stones were allegedly hurled at the bikers as they were riding through the Bhudapara and Sunapli areas. According to Odisha TV, the rally, which started at Dhanupali Police Station Chhak, was passing through the Motijharan Chhak when the stones were allegedly hurled at them. These areas come under the jurisdiction of the Dhanupalli police station.
A police team was rushed to the spot after the news of the violence reached the Dhanupalli police station. A probe is on to determine the exact cause of the violence, a police officer said.
An additional superintendent of police and two inspector-rank officers were among the injured cops who were trying to control the situation. They were later taken to a nearby hospital. The rally, which was organised by the Hanuman Jayanti Coordination Committee in the city, was stopped by the Sambalpur administration. The police reportedly had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the mob.
Last year, several people, including police personnel, were arrested for participating in communal violence in Odisha's Joda on Ram Navami. The clash allegedly occurred after an argument over hoisting a Ram Navami flag at a Shiva Temple in Ward 4 of Joda, which is a Muslim-dominated area. Section 144 was clamped in the area as attempts to persuade the two communities to calm down proved futile.