Bhadrak: Though top police officials claim that trouble-torn Bhadrak town is limping back to normalcy, the police officials who are allegedly responsible for such an episode are yet to be brought to book, locals said.
The top cops are still clueless as to how over 200 youths managed to raise inflammatory slogans in a bike rally despite imposition of CrPc Section 144 in the town. A video clip of a police officer escorting the youths has gone viral and another agitation cannot be ruled out if the officer in question escapes stringent action, a report said.
Situation under control, but tension still prevails
The deserted main thoroughfare of the town narrates a tale contrary to the claims of the district administration and senior police officials that the situation is under control. The covered up tension between the communities can flare up at any moment in slightest provocation, some senior citizens of the town said.
Rail travelers, beggars remain starved
Several long distance train passengers who got stuck at Bhadrak railway station have to manage with tea and biscuits with the curfew in still in force. With the suspension of auto-rickshaw and bus service, they were found stranded at the station without food. While the railways has not made any arrangements for the passengers, the district administration seems to have bigger issue to address. However, some youths of Charampa area were seen arranging cooked food for the hapless passengers.
Similarly, the beggars living near Bant Chhak, Bhadrak railway station, Loknath Temple, Shani Temple and Dakhinakali Temple have been in hunger for the last three days. They are somehow managing with the earlier collected flattened rice and biscuit packets. The administration or some voluntary organisations should come to their rescue, locals said
Internet ban bolt from the blue
With pulling out of internet services from all block headquarters and municipality areas, the youths of the town were in distress. The ban on access to social media is a double whammy for them especially when they were confined to their rooms in the wake of curfew, some youths of the town said. Considering that the inflammatory remarks on social media were the main reason behind the ongoing unrest in the town, the cyber cell of the crime branch has registered a case and began a probe. The service providers of social networking sites including Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and Gmail have stopped their services, much to the discomfort of the town’s youths.
Overflow of inmates in jail
The number of inmates in Bhadrak jail has suddenly gone up with the police being on an arresting spree over the violence. Apart from ensuring security to the inmates, the jail authorities are having a tough time providing food to such a large number of prisoners. They have requested the collector Monday to shift some inmates to other jails. Nearly 400 inmates have been lodged in the jail till 1 pm Monday against its capacity of 166, it was learnt.
Curfew relaxed, but cops resort to lathicharge
Police resorted to lathicharge at Banta Chhak, Apartibindha Chhak, Kacheri Chhak, Townhall Chhak and Thana Chhak when people were rushing in to pick up their daily needs after relaxation of curfew. The police were seen beating up bikers and pedestrians indiscriminately on the pretext of taking precautionary measures to ensure peace. Residents flayed such action saying police were treating innocent people like rioters.
Rioters, looters under scanner
With little improvement in the situation, the police have launched a manhunt to nab rioters and looters involved in torching and loot of shops and commercial establishments. Though police have arrested 73 persons so far, a large number of people have been detained for their alleged links with the violence. Police have zeroed in on some leaders and their sons, it was learnt.
Locals seek night patrolling
The round-the-clock police control room receives hundreds of phone calls from people seeking night patrolling arrangements in prominent joints of the town. The residents demanded patrolling in Chandan Bazaar, Santhia, Nangamahal, Lahapati and Aparibindha areas.
Stay away from rumours, say police
Meanwhile, the administration and police have appealed to the people to stay away from rumours. The district collector and senior police officials have asked people not to panic over hearsay. Locals have been requested to provide the names and mobile phone numbers of the rumormongers. PNN