The Sambalpur District Administration is gearing up to hold a peaceful Hanuman Jayanti procession on Friday. The procession and the security blanket becomes more important especially after the violence in the town on Wednesday evening that injured 10 police personnel.
The police conducted a flag march from Zilla School Chhak to Gengutipali Chhak on Thursday to maintain law and order in the town.
Sambalpur Collector, Ananya Das assured a peaceful procession on Hanuman Jayanti scheduled to be observed on April 14.
As per reports, a bike rally was held to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti in the western Odisha town when some miscreants allegedly pelted stones at the rally stoking a clash between two groups.
Sources said, the bike rally started from Dhanupali Police Station Chhak and was crossing Motijharan Chhak when the stones were allegedly hurled at them.
There were reports of vandalism and arson in the area as well. A shop was set on fire during the clash. Moreover, several vehicles parked on the roadside were vandalised and ransacked with stones and sticks. Keeping the tense situation in mind, huge police deployment was done in the area. Sources informed that Police had to resort to mild lathi-charge at District School Chhak to disperse the mob.
“We discussed with both the groups and they have assured us to conduct the Hanuman Jayanti procession in a peaceful manner. We have taken action against the people involved in yesterday’s violence,” said Ananya Das.
“We have deployed more forces on the ground and made requisitions for additional platoons of police force for Hanuman Jayanti procession tomorrow,” she said.