Sambalpur: Despite all possible precautions being taken, violence once again flared up in this town during Hanuman Jayanti celebrations Friday. The clashes left one person dead and one injured. The deceased has been identified as Chandra Sekhar Mirdha, 25, a resident of Sanasihari village under Town Police Station limits. Mirdha was returning home when he was chased by a group of sword and knife-wielding youths belonging to a particular community near the Mangala temple close to Daleipara. He was stabbed repeatedly leading to his death. Biswajit Sikha, 30, who was with Mirdha also suffered serious injuries in the attack.
Sources informed that another youth had been attacked late Thursday night and he is currently undergoing treatment at VIMSAR in Burla. The attack had created palpable tension in the city. It should be stated here that Sambalpur SP, Battula Gangadhar had earlier said in the day that the ‘law and order situation in the town is gradually returning to normalcy’.
However, the incidents that took place Friday evening proved otherwise. The fresh clashes erupted when the Hanuman Jayanti procession, which started at around 5.30 pm, was pelted with stones near the Zilla School Chowk. Immediately, the situation turned for the worse, and widespread vandalism and arson took place. Four shops at Golbazar Chowk and two at Church Square were set on fire.
A total of 10 shops have been vandalised and set ablaze so far since violence first began Wednesday. Heavy security arrangements had been put in place on the procession route. Although police arrived at the spot where the alleged murder took place, they did not arrest anyone, the friends of the deceased alleged. Gangadhar had informed that 40 platoons of police have been stationed throughout the city. He also said drones and CCTVs were in place to take stock of the situation. Gangadhar stated that so far 32 persons have been arrested since the law and order situation in this town deteriorated Wednesday. He also said that 25 miscreants have been identified and they will be arrested soon. The SP said that 40 others had been detained, but had been let off with a warning. The police officer said that two persons have been arrested for setting shops on fire while three accused in a stabbing case earlier have been held. “After examining various video footage and pictures, we have identified another 25 people who are involved in the violence. We will nab them soon,” the SP said.
