Prohibitory orders imposed in Odisha town after communal clash

The district administration has imposed a curfew and shut down the internet in Balasore, Odisha, on June 18 after clashes between two communities took an ugly turn in the town.

Clashes broke out between the two communities on June 17 over allegations of cow slaughter near a mausoleum near Patrapada on the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. Some locals noticed that water in the drain near the mausoleum turned red, they protested claiming it was result of cow slaughter.

It took a violent turn when members of both communities pelted stones at each other, leaving many people and police personnel injured. The district administration had to impose prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC.