Balasore under curfew after clashes; 10 injured, Net off

BHUBANESWAR: Authorities shut down internet services in Balasore town of Odisha on Tuesday and imposed curfew after a clash between two communities left 10 people injured on Monday.
Citing tension, a notification issued by home secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh prohibited use and access of social media platforms for 48 hours till 10 am of June 20, while internet and data services, including mobile internet, were stopped.
"The situation is critical, and miscreants are circulating false and inflammatory messages through social media to disturb the public order in Balasore municipality area," the notification issued by the home secretary said.
DGP Arun Sarangi said 40 platoons of police force have been deployed and the situation is being monitored closely. "The situation is under control and the heavy response was meant to prevent possible flare up as an abundance of precaution," Sarangi told TOI.
Four IPS officers posted in Balasore
The sub-divisional magistrate, who had issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC on Monday, upgraded it to a curfew, prohibiting people's movement except for emergency medical aid in the northern Odisha town.
All entry and exit points of the town, having around two lakh population, have been sealed. All business and commercial establishments and educational institutions were closed. Police conducted flag-march to ensure law and order. Four IPS officers have been stationed in Balasore to supervise the police force and response to the situation.
Two groups from different communities resorted to pelting stones at each other and damaged properties on Monday. Some of them pelted stones at police after the latter intervened. The injured included two police men. Ten motorcycles and two cars were damaged by the miscreants. A place of worship and a few shops were allegedly damaged by a mob. Police said there was no fresh incident of violence after the clash after detaining 34 people.