The district administration of Kendrapara town, Odisha imposed Section 144 of CrPC on Wednesday (23 January) in order to avert communal tensions. Chaos erupted as some member of the Muslim community opposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s (RSS) meeting to celebrate ‘Netaji’ Subash Chandra Bose’s birthday at Kendrapara High School playground.

“We were attacked with bamboo sticks and not allowed to go to the playground. Muslims should not oppose the celebration of anniversaries of great persons like Bose and Sai. This is disgraceful,” said President of Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti Sanjay Patri, reports Hindustan Times.

The Muslims picketed the area, blocking RSS members march towards the location, claiming that the district administration, in the past, had not allowed meetings at the high school ground, as reported by The New Indian Express.

After tension escalated on Wednesday, few violent incidents were reported the next day also and the police had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Observing the sensitive law and order situation in the area, Section 144 was imposed to prevent untoward incidents.

Internet services were suspended and officials shut down all schools and colleges earlier today (25 January) after an RSS-backed organisation called a 12-hour bandh post the incident.