Bhadrak: The district administration today suspended internet services for 48 hours in Bhadrak as a precautionary measure to maintain peace and communal harmony during the Ram Navami celebrations.
"Internet services have been suspended for a total of 48 hours, but once the Ram Navami procession gets over peacefully within 24 hours then we can immediately restore the services," Eastern Range IG Vinaytosh Mishra said.
The district administration had already clamped prohibitory orders under Sec 144 of CrPc in the town as a measure to maintain law and order ahead of the Ram Navami celebrations. Protesting the clampdown, the Sriram Mahayajna Samiti had filed a petition in the Orissa High Court after which the route restrictions to carry out processions as well as the curfew were relaxed for five hours from 1 PM to 6 PM on Friday.
On Friday, thousands of devotees from across the State had participated in the Kalash Sobha Jatra after the directive of the Orissa High Court.
Bhadrak Collector Gyana Das said, "The organisers have to apply for a license from the police to hold the Nagar Sankirtan Sobha Jatra on the same route tomorrow. It will be granted after taking stock of the communal situation in the area. Adequate force has been deployed to check any untoward incident and the public has also been requested to maintain peace and harmony."
He further said the prohibitory orders under Sec 144 of CrPc will be relaxed, to hold the Nagar Sankirtan Sobha Jatra, as per the timings permitted by police.
Bhadrak SP Anup Kumar Sahu also informed that the Nagar Sankirtan Sobha Jatra will be held tomorrow on the same route as ordered by the Orissa High Court. Fifty platoons of police force will be deployed along with four commandants and 70 senior police personnel.
"A Crime Branch team will also arrive to monitor social media," he added.
On the sixth day of the ongoing Ram Navami celebrations today, various seers and devotees from across Odisha gathered in Bhadrak to hear recitation of Hanuman Chalisa and Sunderakand.
A press meet was also held by the Sriram Mahayajna Samiti of Bhadrak where it appealed the public to maintain peace during the Ram Navami Nagar Sankirtan Sobha Jatra to be held here tomorrow as part of the Sri Ram Mahotsav.
"We appeal to the people of Bhadrak to extend their support to conduct Ram Navami in a peaceful manner," said Convener of Sriram Mahayajna Samiti, Manmohan Samal.