Curfew was imposed in Odisha's Balasore town and security arrangements beefed up on Tuesday after violent clashes broke out between Ganesh devotees and members of the Muslim community over the weekend. At least seven people were injured in the clashes. Similar incidents were reported from several parts of Odisha over the weekend.
The Balasore administration deployed 19 platoons of police personnel to manage the situation during Bakr-Eid observances on Tuesday, reported The Indian Express. Kendrapara SP Nitinjit Singh said, "We have deployed adequate forces in view of the anticipated troubles between the two communities today [Tuesday]." Singh added that the restrictions will be relaxed for a few hours in view of Eid.
The Rourkela police also imposed restrictions on movement and assembly under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code on Monday night after some groups hurled bricks at an idol that was being taken for immersion. In retaliation, another group torched a car and damaged two scooters afterwards. Members of both communities vandalised shops and damaged parked vehicles. The police lathicharged the mob and managed to bring the situation under control.
In the Pattamundai town of Kendrapara district, Muslim groups opposed the use of loudspeakers and the beating of drums in front of a mosque during an immersion procession. Subsequently, more than 1,000 people blocked the Pattamundai-Rajnagar road demanding action against those who were against the use of loudspeakers.
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