The Odisha government has ordered its authorities to shut the internet for 2 consecutive days in Bhadrak district till 2 AM of September 30, 2024 due to communal riot that was allegedly fueled by a social media post, a news agency confirmed. The order, passed by the state’s additional chief secretary Satyabrata Sahu, broadens the ban on internet, including such social media apps and websites as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, (previously, Twitter) and others. The issue will help in halting any future increase of violence in the district in question as it saw some levels of ethnic clashes recently.
The official order also stressed that the shutdown of the internet connection is necessary for the return of the order. It said that recent clashes of communal riots in the Bhadrak and Dhamnagar areas were associated with slanderous posts on social media. In this regard, the district administration has expressed nervousness about the chances of misuse of these sites that fuel existing and earlier unknown strain between two communities. The government said, “Social applications such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and other media may provoke communal riots resulting in acts that disrupts public tranquility in the Bhadrak district.” Thus, due to maintenance of public order and reduction of the effected of inflammation and motivation messages, internet services have been closed to promote peaceful environment.”
Also, prohibitory orders restricting assembly were placed in Bhadrak town in Odisha after a community protest turned unruly. The disturbance was caused by a post on Facebook that had caused them to embezzle their religious beliefs which led them to engage themselves in riots that left some police officers maimed. To this, the district administration approved the mobilization of more police officers to deal with the changes. A video posted by the news agency depicted riot police enforcing law and order in the region after the fight as policemen roamed the region to prevent emergence of a similar incident.
The situation continues to be volatile but security forces are doing everything possible in retracing tranquility to the affected district.
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