The Sundargarh district administration on Thursday clamped prohibitory orders and suspended internet services for 24 hours in the town following a violent clash that left at least 12 people injured, including police officers, officials said.
The unrest erupted on Thursday afternoon in the Regent Market area, reportedly triggered by a minor dispute between two local youths that escalated into a wider conflict.
“Both groups allegedly used sharp weapons against each other and also pelted stones. Police used mild force to disperse them and brought the area under control,” an officer said.
Following the incident, the district administration imposed Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the area to curb further escalation and stabilise the law-and-order situation.
“The situation is now under control. Prohibitory order under Section 163 of BNS has been clamped in the town. We have also suspended the internet services for 24 hours from 6 pm,” Sundargarh collector Subhankar Mohapatra said, adding that any gatherings, rallies and protests have been banned in the town.
“We will hold a meeting of the peace committee soon,” he added.
All shops and commercial establishments, excluding medical stores and emergency services, in the town will remain closed, said Tejaswini Behera, sub-collector, Sundargarh (Sadar).
DIG Western Range Brijesh Rai, Sundargarh SP Amritpal Kaur and other senior officials visited the site to monitor the situation and urged residents to remain calm and maintain peace.
“Ten platoons (300 personnel) police force have been deployed and prohibitory order under Section 163 of BNS has been imposed,” Rai said, adding that among the injured police personnel, one has been admitted to hospital.
SDPO Nirmal Mohapatra categorised the event as a group clash and confirmed that while no arrests have been made yet, the area remains under close surveillance.
