Bhadrak: Tension gripped the Santhia area in Bhadrak district on Friday after a protest against a controversial social media post turned violent, leaving three senior police officials seriously injured. The vehicle of the Bhadrak Tehsildar was also heavily damaged in the chaos. The district administration has clamped prohibitory orders under section 163 BNSS in the area for an indefinite period.
The injured officers have been identified as Bhadrak Town Sub-Inspector (SI) Rozen Murmu, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) Ajay Sudarshan Bage, and City Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Anshuman Dwivedi. SI Murmu sustained severe head injuries and has been admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
The unrest was triggered by a social media post that sparked outrage among locals, leading to a group of protesters organizing a rally. The demonstrators blocked roads by burning tyres, demanding the immediate arrest of the individual responsible for the post. When police attempted to mediate and calm the situation, tensions escalated, and the crowd began pelting stones at the police. In the ensuing clash, three senior officers were injured.
To control the crowd, police resorted to a lathi charge, dispersing the protesters. Given the gravity of the situation, the district administration deployed seven platoons of police force and assigned three additional IICs to the area. A flag march was also conducted to restore order and prevent further violence.
In response to the incident, Section 163 under the BNSS has been imposed in the area. The order, issued by Bhadrak SDM Monaj Patra, which prohibits all gatherings, meetings, and protests until further notice. Any violation of the order will be met with strict legal action.
“Considering the urgency of the situation and to prevent communal tension between communities, I, Sri Monaj Patra, SDM Bhadrak, hereby promulgate a proceeding U/S 163 BNSS for an indefinite period until further orders,” read the official statement. The local police have been instructed to communicate the order via public announcements, and the Bhadrak Tehsildar has been deputed as Executive Magistrate to oversee law enforcement and ensure the situation is contained.
