Odisha CM Appeals for Peace Between Different Communities in Balasore

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed to different communities in Balasore to maintain peace and harmony in the area following a violent clash that occurred between two groups in the Bhujakhia Pir area under Town police station limits of Balasore Municipal area on Monday.

CM Majhi spoke with the Balasore Collector and Superintendent of Police to take stock of the situation. He directed the district administration to bring the situation under control at the earliest.

CM Majhi requested everyone to maintain amity, peace and order.

“Peace and order will not be allowed to be disturbed under any circumstances. Odisha is a peace-loving state,” he said.

Curfew was imposed in the Balasore Municipality area following a violent group clash in which at least five persons were injured. According to reports at least 34 persons have been detained by the police on charges of instigating violence.

The Balasore district administration has clamped curfew in the entire Balasore Municipality area for an indefinite period to bring the volatile situation under control. Police have appealed to people not to come out of their houses.

The administration has put restrictions on internet services in the sensitive areas of Balasore town to prevent escalation of tension.

This violence sparked off on Monday (June 17) when some persons objected to the water flowing in the drain near the Pir Bazar area turning red. Some people staged a protest and blocked the Chandipur-Balasore main road. This escalated the tension in the area and two groups started pelting stones at each other. A clash broke out near the Bhujakhia Pir square in Balasore town. At least five persons including some police personnel were injured in this clash. Around 15-20 vehicles parked in the area were also damaged.