Curfew imposed in Odisha's Sambalpur following fresh violence

BHUBANESWAR: The Sambalpur district administration late on Friday night imposed curfew in Sambalpur until further orders following fresh incidents of violence.
“A state of curfew under Section 144 (1) CrPC is hereby declared wherein no individual or group of people are to exit their houses so as to ensure peace and tranquillity,” the order issued by Sambalpur sadar sub-collector Pravash Chandra Dandasena said.

The curfew has been imposed in areas under jurisdictions of six police stations of Samablpur Town, Dhanupali, Khetrajpur, Ainthapali, Bareipali and Sadar with immediate effect and until further orders, the order said.
The administration has allowed people to procure essential items between 8am and 10am and between 3.30pm to 5.30pm. For medical emergencies, the administration has announced a helpline 7655800760 for contacting the district headquarters hospital.

On Friday evening, a 30-year-old man was stabbed to death while he was returning home after taking part in the Hanuman Jayanti procession. Several shops were torched and ransacked, two days after violence had erupted during a bike rally.
Following stray incidents of violence since Wednesday, the government had made elaborate security arrangements for the Hanuman Jayanti procession, a popular event in the city which witnesses the participation of thousands of people. More than 30 Hanuman Jayanti committees took part in Friday’s procession.