Sambalpur: The Odisha government on Wednesday extended the suspension of internet services in the violent-hit Sambalpur district by another 24 hours till 10.00 am on Thursday.
The decision was taken to curb the circulation of inflammatory messages and prevent misuse of social media, in the aftermath of violence during the Hanuman Jayanti motorcycle rally in the town.
The restriction on internet service has been imposed since April 13.
However, internet services are being restored partially in licensed landlines, especially for ensuring normal business activities. The services will be resumed in Kuchinda, Rairakhol, Naktideul, Jujumara, Bamra, and Jamankira areas.
Meanwhile, as the area is slowly returning to normal, curfew timings in Sambalpur Town have been further relaxed from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm to allow people to purchase essential items.
It is worth mentioning here that a motorcycle rally was taken out in the town on April 12 on the occasion of the ‘Jhanda Sthapana’ ahead of the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. Some people pelted stones at the participants of the rally while it was passing through Motijharan Square and it led to clashes between the two groups.
