Bhadrak situation under control, says DGP

Bhadrak:  Though there has been a considerable improvement in the overall situation in Bhadrak, the curfew clamped in the town will continue for some time, said Director General of Police K.B. Singh after a review here on Saturday.

“Barring few incidents of shop looting and ransacking, there has been no large-scale violence or casualties reported so far. The overall situation is under control,” said Singh.

Singh further stated Bhadrak has a good tradition of ‘communal harmony’ and appealed people to cooperate in maintaining law and order here.

“People should not react to messages or rumours on the social media rather help the administration in restoring peace,” Singh added.

The curfew clamped in the town was on Saturday extended till 8 am tomorrow as a precautionary measure by the administration.

Official sources said, at least three separate FIRs have been registered by two groups over the unrest at Bhadrak Town Police Station.

35 persons of either groups have been arrested and nine motorcycles have been seized by police.

A detailed strategy has been chalked out for restoring peace and already over 35 platoons of police force have been deployed in Bhadrak town which has been divided into four sectors. Forces have been deployed at strategic locations.

The movement of vehicular traffic on the National Highway has been normalised while senior officials are keeping a close watch on the situation.

Official sources said, over 10 senior police officials and commandants are now camping in Bhadrak after few objectionable religious posts on social media sparked off tension in the town on Thursday.