Sundargarh remained under a heavy security blanket on Friday as local authorities scrambled to contain the fallout from a violent clash that broke out over allegations of beef sales. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS are now in force across the entire town, and the district administration has taken the drastic step of cutting off internet and social media services to block the spread of inflammatory rumours.
The trouble started on Thursday afternoon in the Regent Market area. Reports also suggest that a mob, allegedly led by Bajrang Dal members, targeted a meat shop near the Nari Kalyan Kendra. The situation quickly turned chaotic as the group set a pick-up van on fire and trashed several other vehicles, including a car and a scooter.
Western Range DIG Brijesh Rai clarified that the spark for the violence was a "suspicious food item" at a private residence. However, he noted that upon inspection, police found nothing objectionable at the house. "Our teams reached the spot immediately and handled the situation sensitively," Rai said, adding that while one officer and a few civilians suffered minor injuries during a brief bout of stone-pelting, the police managed to disperse the crowds before the situation spiralled out of control.
Sundargarh Collector Subhankar Mohapatra confirmed that all schools and colleges were ordered to stay shut today as a safety precaution. He appealed for calm, stating that the next step is to form a peace committee involving local leaders to mend communal ties.
For now, the town remains quiet but tense. Patrolling has been ramped up in sensitive pockets, and senior officials are staying put in the area to ensure that the ban on public gatherings is strictly followed.
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