A Bike rally was held on April 12, in the Sambalpur city of Odisha marking the Hanuman Jayanti. Islamists attacked the rally, the attacks targeted the Hindu workers and cops protecting them. As many as 10 police officials have been injured with other Hindu workers.
Notably, over 1,000 motorcyclists participated in the Bike rally, which was organised as part of the Hanuman Janmotsav celebrations observed on April 6. The incident comes ahead of the Maha Vishuba Sankranti or the Odia New Year, which will be celebrated on April 14.
As of now, following the brutal attacks, section 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in the Town, Dhanupali, Khetrajpur, Ainthapali, Bareipali and Sadar area of the Sambalpur district.
Apart from this internet in the area has also been suspended, and the internet shutdown will continue till 10 am on April 15, an order issued by state Home Secretary D K Singh said.
In the attack, a stall and several vehicles were torched, and other shops have been vandalised. The violence reportedly ensued when the stones were hurled at the bikers, as they were riding through the Bhudapara and Sunapli areas.
Visuals show Islamists attacking the peaceful bike rally.
Muslim Mob Threw Stone from Masjid at Hanuman Shobhayatra 10 Police personnel including 30 Hindu Youths seriously injured in Odisha's #Sambalpur Dhanupali. Tension prevailed, 144 clamped. pic.twitter.com/MJaJ0jHNyj
— LambodarPrasadDash (@LambodarPrDash) April 12, 2023
As per the reports, the rally, which started at Dhanupali Police Station Chhak, crossed the Motijharan Chhak area and the stone pelting began.
A police team was rushed to the spot after the news of the violence reached the Dhanupalli police station. A probe is on to determine the exact cause of the violence, a news report quoted the police officer.
An additional superintendent of police and two inspector-rank officers were among the injured cops who were trying to control the situation. They were later taken to a nearby hospital.
The police had to take the situation under control by performing a lathi charge.
An order by the Home department says, “There were clashes between Hindus and Muslims in Sambalpur town during the Hanuman Jayanti Sobhayatra, motorcycle procession undertaken by Hanuman Jayanti Samanyoya Samiti members, Bajarang Dal workers etc on April 12 at about 6 pm. The situation is critical and miscreants are circulating false and inflammatory messages through social media to disturb the public order in Sambalpur district”.
https://twitter.com/epanchjanya/status/1646404418873753600?s=20
Notably, the order by the home department held platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Whatsapp responsible for the escalation of the violence.
“The internet service has been suspended temporarily in order to prevent the spread of such inflammatory and motivated messages to circulate in the social media to disturb the public order in Sambalpur District and to restore peace and amity,” said Singh in the order.
