india

Updated: Jan 24, 2019 19:00 IST

Authorities in Odisha’s communally-sensitive Kendrapara clamped curfew and suspended internet services in the town on Thursday amid continued tension in the town following a clash between two groups on Wednesday.

Kendrapara’s superintendent of police Niti Shekhar said the curfew was a precautionary measure and would continue till 8am on Friday. The decision to impose the curfew was taken following an incident of stone pelting between two groups in the town. At least 10 platoons of the police force have been deployed in the town.

Earlier this morning, officials shut all schools and colleges after an RSS-backed organisation called a 12-hour bandh as it clashed with Muslims over the birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighters Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Veer Surendra Sai.

Prohibitory orders under section 144 had to be clamped in the town on Wednesday after RSS followers clashed with Muslims at Kendrapara Government High School Ground where the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Bose Chandra and Veer Surendra Sai was being organised.

President of Rashtriya Suraksha Samiti Sanjay Patri said RSS workers were planning to take a procession from a Saraswati Shishu Mandir to the high school playground for celebrating the birth anniversary when they came under attack.

“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,” Patri said.

The coastal district of Kendrapara has witnessed several incidents of communal clashes in the past.

In April 2017, authorities in Kendrapara had to shut down internet over an objectionable video on Facebook against the minority community.