The district administration of violence-hit Sambalpur in Odisha extended the period of internet services’ suspension by another 24 hours till 10 am of Wednesday, even as the total number of arrests rose to 85, official said.
A notification issued by the Odisha Home Department in this connection read, “In continuation of Government in Home Department Notification No. 360/C Dated 13.4.2023, Notification No. 371/C Dated 15.04.2023 & Notification No. 377/C Dated 17.04.2023 and as per the recommendation of District Magistrate & Collector, Sambalpur, I, Sri Deoranjan Kumar Singh, IAS, Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Home Department hereby extend the prohibition of the use and access of the following types of internet and data services including WhatsApp, FaceBook Twitter and other Social Media for further 24 hours up to 10.00 am on 19th April 2023 in Sambalpur District under the provisions of Section 5 (2) of Indian Telegraph Act 1885 read with Rule 2(1) of The Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency/ Public Safety) Rules, 2017”
Meanwhile, Curfew timings were also relaxed. The district administration announced further opening up the morning window from 7.30 am to 1 pm. The evening window of 3.30 pm-6 pm will remain unchanged.
The additional chief secretary and special relief commissioner, Satyabrata Sahu, said: “There have been no incidents of violence during the last 48 hours, The situation is under control.”
Director General of Police Sunil Kumar Bansal held a review meeting on Monday to take stock of the situation and asked the officials to take stern action against those indulging in violence.
The administration has yet to open the district border sealed following the escalation of violence. What came as an embarrassment for the administration was that despite the heavy presence of the police force, violence erupted during the Hanuman Jayanti on Friday. Incidents of arson were reported and a 27-year-old tribal youth was hacked to death by his rivals. However, the district administration also maintained that the murder of the youth on Friday night was unrelated to the Hanuman Jayanti procession and some of the accused in the group clash that led to the attack on the youth have already been arrested.
