It appears that the stone-pelting incident reported on April 12 was pre-planned, said Sambalpur SP B. Gangadhar while addressing a presser on Sunday. According to the Sambalpur SP, some people had kept stones and other articles in their houses, and a preliminary probe indicates that it was pre-planned. So far 26 persons involved in the stone pelting incident have been arrested and around 100 others have also been identified.
As some of the accused have fled Sambalpur, special teams have been formed and further investigation in this connection is underway. B. Gangadhar further informed that as many as 53 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence during April 14 procession. The total number of arrests has now reached 79 in both cases.
"We had seized stones and other articles during searches of houses and buildings. If there is an encroachment on government land and it is being used for organising crime, we will take appropriate action and such houses will be demolished. The seizure of stones and other articles indicate that it was pre-planned and action will be taken as per law," said Gangadhar.
The Sambalpur SP informed that no untoward incident was reported from any part of the town on Saturday.
"As of now, everything thing is under control. We are arresting people involved in both incidents. Many have fled Sambalpur and we are tracking them. More legal action will certainly follow," the SP added.