Balasore: At least five people were injured in a clash between two groups in Patrapada locality of Odisha’s Balasore town on Monday, prompting the authorities to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC.
Taking a strong view of the violent incident, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi spoke to the district collector of Balasore and directed him to take concrete steps to bring the situation under control.
Asserting that law and order will not be allowed to be disturbed at any cost, the CM appealed to all concerned to maintain peace and discipline. He stressed that Odisha is a peace-loving state.
According to reports, some local people spotted the water flowing in the drain near the Pir turning red. In no time, the news spread and people came onto the road. They staged a protest and blocked the Chandipur-Balasore main road.
Later the incident snowballed into a group clash with another community opposing the demonstration and in no time, two sides resorting to pelting stones at each other. It continued for 10 to 15 fifteen minutes.
On being informed, police reached the spot and tried to bring the situation under control. In the process, four to five people including cops were said to have sustained injuries and 15 to 20 vehicles were damaged completely.