Considering gradual improvement in situation and no untoward incident reported in last 24 hours in violence-hit Bhadrak town in Odisha, the district administration today relaxed curfew for 9 hours till 4 PM. The curfew which was clamped in the town on Friday has been relaxed thrice till now to allow people to purchase essential commodities.
All educational institutions, banks and government offices were opened today, even as security forces kept a close vigil on the situation, police sources said. Sources also said police have filed 8 cases and arrested more than 80 persons including the prime accused in connection with the unrest.
To restore peace and harmony in the area, the State administration under Section 5 of The Indian Telegraph Act has asked Internet providers to stop their social media services till this evening so that rumour mongers cannot operate on social media platforms Around 38 platoons of police force and 4 companies of central forces have been deployed in the town to ensure no untoward disturbance. Meanwhile, the State crime branch has started investigating into the alleged offensive postings on Goddess on Facebook that led violence in Bhadrak town on last Tuesday.