Sec 144 CrPc clamped in 8 sensitive areas

Berhampur, Jul 28 (UNI) Section 144 CrPc has been clamped in eight sensitive areas here after a dawn-to-dusk bandh called by Bajarang Dal to protest selling of beef meat triggered violence and forced police to open fire.

The 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 to bring the situation under control.

Official sources said the trouble started when bandh supporters forced the shopkeepers to pull down their shutters in Khoda Sahi when supporters of one community opposed it leading to 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 belonging to one particular community.

The 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.

UNI XC DP SP AB PM2328