A day after Kendrapara district administration clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC following a faceoff between members of the Sangh Parvar and the minority community in Odisha, normal life has been affected in the district following a 12-hour-bandh call given over the incident.

Tension is prevailing in the district headquarter town with reports of stone pelting coming in from some parts. Police resorted to lathi charge to disperse protesters. Vehicles remained off the road.

As a precautionary step, the administration has ordered suspension of internet services and shut down educational institutions for a day. Armed police are patrolling in sensitive pockets to thwart possible breach the peace.

“The situation is tense, but under control. We are keeping close watch on situation by stepping up of security in the town. There has been no report of untoward incident,” said Ranjan Kumar Dey, Sub Divisional Police Officer of Kendrapara.

The tension cropped up as members of minority community protested against celebration of birth anniversary Netajee Subash Chandra Bose and Odisha freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai organised by Rastriya Swyamsevak Sangha at Kendrapara Town High School ground on Wednesday. Minority community was aggrieved over being disallowed to hold an event a week ago.

“The district administration had prohibited organisation of any event other than sports. The RSS members had not taken any permission for the event. When they marched towards the ground, some of our members picketed in front of the ground,” said Mir Obeda, a former councillor.

“Felt offended over denial of access to ground, an outfit affiliated to RSS has given a call for a bandh in Kendrapara on Thursday. Everybody is panicked now,” said Mr. Obeda.

The Rastriya Surakshya Samiti, which called the bandh, said the people were hurt as birth anniversary of freedom fighters were not allowed.

“We just wanted to hold a small meeting to pay tribute to freedom fighters. However, due to protest by other community, we could not even garland their photographs. Police also could not come to our rescue when we faced hostile response,” said Sanjay Kumar Patri, co-convenor of Rastriya Surakshya Samiti.

Kendrapara district collector Dasarathi Satpathy said the situation was under control and efforts were being made to broker peace among all stakeholders.