Balasore: A procession held before Hanuman Jayanti in Balasore, Odisha, was marred by stone pelting and subsequent clashes on Sunday, April 14, 2024. The incident resulted in injuries to four individuals, and a police vehicle was also damaged during the violence. Currently, a significant police presence has been deployed in the area to restore order.
According to media reports, the disturbance occurred in the Remuna area of Balasore, where a procession by the Hindu community was underway in celebration of Hanuman Jayanti. The procession, heading towards the Kanak Durga temple via Ganipur village, was suddenly targeted by stone pelting around 4:40 PM, causing injuries to several devotees and sparking a stampede-like situation.
The stone pelting led to anger among the Hindu participants, escalating into clashes between opposing groups, resulting in property damage at the scene. Upon receiving notification, law enforcement intervened to contain the situation, but encountered resistance as miscreants targeted them with stones. The vehicle of Superintendent of Police Sagarika Nath suffered damage during the attack, and a staff member's mobile phone from the Remuna police station was also destroyed.
Additional police reinforcements were deployed to quell the violence amidst ongoing stone pelting. The Additional Director General of Law and Order for Odisha, IPS Sanjay Kumar, confirmed that four individuals were injured in the altercation and are receiving treatment at a local hospital. Kumar stated that stone pelting was initiated from both sides, and efforts led by IG Deepak Kumar are underway to restore normalcy. Authorities are engaging with representatives from both parties to de-escalate tensions.
As of now, the situation is reported to be under control. Balasore MP Pratap Sarangi has urged the public to maintain peace. Law enforcement has registered a case and initiated an investigation, aiming to identify the perpetrators through video footage and other means. Police have assured swift action to apprehend the attackers. It's worth noting that a similar attack occurred during the Shobha Yatra at the same location last year.
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