Bandh triggers violence in South Orissa town

Berhampur, July 28 (UNI) A dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Bajarang Dal in this south Orissa town to protest selling of beef meat triggered violence forcing the police to open fire to disperse the two warring groups.

Police initially resorted to a lathicharge to quell the members of two communities indulging in pelting stones at each other during the bandh but when this did not deter the mob, they opened fire.

Official sources said the trouble started when bandh supporters forced the shopkeepers to pull down their shutters in Khoda Sahi while supporters of one community opposed it leading to a clash between the two groups.

One person belonging to Bajrang Dal was injured in the incident.

Soon after the incident, the bandh supporters went on rampage ransacking shops and houses.

Police immediately swung into action and arrested 25 people from both the communities and intensified patrolling in the troubled and sensitive areas of the town.

The authority had deployed nearly eight platoons of force but later mobilsed another five platoons considering the gravity of the situation.

Inspector General of Police B B Mishra rushed from Cuttack to take stock of the situation. Deputy Inspector General of Police S K Upadhaya, Berhampur Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar and Ganjam district collector S Singh were camping in the city.

The situation in this silk city was described as tense but under control.

Irate people led by Bajarang Dal supporters yesterday ransacked shops, set ablaze three motorcycles and assaulted a father and son for allegedly selling beef meat in the city. The police later arrested the duo and brought the situation under control.

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