The Odisha government and the police came under severe criticism after Sambalpur SP, B Gangadhar revealed that the Hanuman Jayanti violence in the western Odisha town was pre-planned.
It is now being questioned that if the violence was pre-planned then why the police were not prepared, especially after the Union Home Ministry’s letter alerting every State of possible violence during Hanuman Jayanti.
Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP’s) fact-finding team, which reviewed the ground situation in Sambalpur after the violence, alleged that the police know about underlying tension in some towns on every Hanuman Jayanti. But despite that, no precautionary measures were taken in Sambalpur.
BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda said, “The violence and murder which happened in Sambalpur, and the way the ruling party is trying to suppress the matter is really unfortunate.”
On the other hand, businessmen and locals of Sambalpur are increasingly getting worried over the curfew in the town. Some have even vented their anger on the camera. “I am 65 and have nobody to look after me. If I keep my shop closed for a week, what will I eat,” asked a lady shopkeeper in Sambalpur.
With the curfew in town, black marketers have become active and reportedly selling goods at higher rates. A local said, “People are allowed to buy from market only during the relaxation window. So the shops are selling us essential things at much higher rates.”
When asked about black marketing and hoarding by unscrupulous shopkeepers, Sambalpur Sub-Collector, Ajambar Mohanty said, “This has come to our notice. Special teams have been formed which will check the shops during the curfew relaxation time. And appropriate action will be taken against people found involved in black marketing.”
Meanwhile, the curfew relaxation window has been further extended in Sambalpur.
As per the latest notification, relaxation in curfew will be provided between 7am to 1pm and 3:30pm to 6pm from tomorrow.