Dhamnagar: The administration has managed to bring the tense situation in Dhamnagar of Bhadrak district under control Sunday but extended the enforcement of prohibitory orders under CrPc Section 144 by 24 hours.
Dhamnagar had plunged into turmoil Friday night after the houses of four families were set ablaze by unidentified persons. As the situation spiraled out of control, the administration imposed the prohibitory orders in the area.
However, life was normal Sunday with people moving freely while shops and markets were opened, a report said.
Bhadrak SP Anup Sahu and collector Gyana Ranjan Das had held talks with various outfits Saturday and decided to enforce the ban orders till 10 am Sunday.
Following a directive from the SP, the three more platoons of police were deployed in the town. As per a fresh decision, the administration Sunday extended the prohibitory orders by 24 hours at Dhamnagar Chhak, Dobal, Palikiri, Bhagbanpur and Dhamnagar NAC.
A total of 10 platoons of police have been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
The collector took stock of the situation Sunday. SDPO Manoranjan Samal, IIC Bijay Kumar Mallick and other police officials patrolled the area.
The administration urged for peace while various quarters demanded immediate arrest of those behind the arson. A team of BJD visited the area and urged the people to maintain peace.
Following a directive from the collector, the administration assessed the damage and provided `98,800 to a fire victim Putan Dei and Rs 3,200 each to three others Saturday.
Meanwhile, the police cracked down on a gang of robbers Sunday, when they were planning to commit dacoity in a petrol filling station at Dhamnagar Chhak.
Acting on a tip-off, police arrested four dacoits – Manas Behera, Jajati Nayak, Ranjan Behera and Hrushikesh Sahu of Gariapur – and seized a toy gun, three cell phones and three bikes. PNN
