Bhadrak: Odisha’s Bhadrak town remained tense on April 8 after violence broke out over alleged offensive posts on Facebook against a particular community.

The administration has extended the curfew until 8 am on April 9. It was imposed two days ago. Police have detained 35 people so far in connection with the clashes.

Angry protesters set ablaze shops and torched police vehicles as clashes erupted in Bhadrak town on April 7. At least four police officers were injured while trying to defuse tensions.

Tension flared up after some people demonstrated outside a police station in Bhadrak, demanding arrest of those responsible for posting alleged offensive remarks against Hindu deities on Facebook.

Activists of Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal took to the streets, burnt tires and blocked roads demanding action against the miscreants. The district administration organized peace committee talks to pacify them but failed to reach a consensus.

Meanwhile, the Odisha government has replaced Bhadrak District Collector LN Mishra with Cuttack Municipal Commissioner Gyana Ranjan Das. Senior bureaucrats such as Odisha Home Secretary Asit Tripathy and DGP K B Singh have monitored the situation in Bhadrak. An additional police force has been deployed in the area to thwart any untoward incidents, The Hindustan Times reported.

Odisha DGP KB Singh said that police had identified the miscreants who were trying to fan trouble. “We have identified the persons (trying to fan trouble). As many as 35 platoons of police force have been deployed in Bhadrak town. IG is camping in the area. We will not allow anyone to disrupt communal harmony. The situation is now under control,” he added.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appealed for calm in the state. Patnaik tweeted, “I sincerely appeal to all in Bhadrak to maintain peace and harmony. I have directed stringent action against any attempt to disrupt peace.”