Bhadrak: Even as Bhadrak town continues to remain tense since Thursday after strong protests over objectionable posts about Lord Ram and Sita in the social media, people irrespective of their communities have appealed for peace.
People of both the communities could not imagine that the posts would take such a violent turn to shatter communal harmony in the town. They wanted return of peace and sought stern action against the accused.
Worried over the tense atmosphere, Mohammed Abdul Bari, president of Chauda Mahala Muslim Jamat, appealed for peace. “Bhadrak always maintains communal harmony. Hindus and Muslims have no difference of opinion among themselves. People of both the communities should cooperate in their festivals. Such objectionable posts are very unfortunate. The accused should be arrested while all should help the police and the administration in restoring peace,” Bari said.
Pandit Sangram Acharya, a local resident, said, “No religion should be mocked in the social media. Police should take stern action against the persons who have made objectionable posts. Law and order should be tightened. Police should keep a close vigil on the situation.”
Local teachers’ union leader Tabrez Khan termed Bhadrak as a town of glorious culture and communal harmony.
“I condemn a bid by some antisocial youths to disturb the peace and camaraderie among people in the town. Exemplary action should be taken against them. I appeal to all denizens to cooperate for restoration of peace,” he added.
Lawyer Gadadhar Bal observed that youths these days have gone astray due to social media. “Police should apply appropriate sections of IPC against those accused of fomenting unrest due to their objectionable posts. All police stations here should have cyber cells to deal with such cases,” he added.
Exhorting all for making concerted efforts to restore peace in the town, councillor Durga Das noted, “There is a need for united efforts to ensure peace in town. Administration officials should pay attention to this. Past glory of Bhadrak is affected by such incidents.” PNN
