Rourkela: Palpable tension prevailed in the Steel city of Odisha after violence broke out yesterday over some objectionable comments targeting a particular community got circulated via social media. Though police were able to pacify the protesters i the afternoon and section 144 was clamped, fresh tension erupted late on Thursday night.
According to sources, a group of protesters gathered on the Main Road and burnt tyres disrupting the Bahuda Yatra of Lord Jagannath after a post on WhatsApp targeting a particular community did the rounds. The protesters relented after the man who posted the comment was arrested and the Bahuda Yatra went off peacefully.
However, later in the evening, protests by members of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Bajrang Dal and Hindu Sena demanding the arrest of the arrested youth and action against members of the minority community who had assaulted him.
According to police sources, section 144 was clamped in minority-dominated Nala Road area to prevent any further tension and communal clash.
Around 20 platoons of police force and 3 platoons of CRPF personnel have been deployed.
A peace committee meeting between the clashing groups has also been arranged at he office of the SP.