Situation limping back to normalcy in Sambalpur; 30 more arrested in connection with violence

The situation is gradually limping back to normalcy in Sambalpur which witnessed large-scale violence in the run-up to Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. Even though curfew has been clamped in several areas under six police station jurisdictions, the prohibitory orders were relaxed for students and other aspirants of various recruitment examinations on Sunday.

Additional platoons of police force have been deployed across Sambalpur while more force is keeping a strict vigil at sensitive locations.  Senior police officials said that 30 more persons have been arrested in connection with the large-scale violence that was reported in Sambalpur. With this, the total number of arrests made so far has increased to 79 today.

Six persons have also been arrested in connection with the murder of a youth. Sambalpur SP said that the youth was killed over some past enmity and it had nothing to do with the violent clashes between two groups during the Hanuman Jayanti procession.

Odisha Director General (DG) Of Police, Sunil Bansal is likely to review the overall situation in Sambalpur shortly.