The authorities on Wednesday suspended Internet services in Odisha’s Kendrapara town and its adjoining areas for the next 48 hours to prevent the circulation of false and inflammatory messages in social media.
The order came into force after false and inflammatory messages reportedly circulated on social media platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter to disturb peace in the communally sensitive town of coastal Odisha.
Kendrapara SP Niti Sekhar said that home department special secretary Santosh Bala issued the notification under Section 5(2) of Indian Telegraph Act,1985 read with rule2(1) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (public Emergency/ Public Safety ) Rules, 2017.
Official sources said the order was issued after tension continue to prevail in the area since Monday after a group clash at Badahat village under Kendrapara town between two communities over a petty matter.
Three persons including a father and his two sons were injured in the clash and were rushed to the hospital. Police identified the injured as Ramesh Das, Prahallad Das and Khageswar Das.
The accused had snatched a gold chain and some money from the family of the victims, who came to rescue their family member. After the incident, hundreds of youths of a particular community staged dharna in front of the Kendrapara town police station on Monday evening demanding the arrest of the accused belonged to another community.
The dharna was lifted after senior police officials including the SP rushed to the spot and assured the agitators to nab the accused within 24 hours. But tension prevailed in the area after the members of a group organised a rally and created uproar near Badahat. Police disbursed them and beefed up security keeping the Eid festival in view.
Police later lodged a couple of cases on the basis of complainants received from both sides and inquiring into the incident. (UNI)
