Expressing anguish over the violence during Hanuman Jayanti processions at Sambalpur on April 12 and 14, BJP national president JP Nadda has formed a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the incident.
The team comprises four BJP MPs from outside the State, BrijLal, Samir Oraon, Aditya Sahu and Jyotirmay Singh Mahato. The panel will visit Sambalpur and submit a report to Nadda.
Recently, BJP State president ManmohanSamal along with several other party leaders had written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking an NIA probe into the communal violence at Sambalpur and the deteriorating law and order situation thereof.
Violence between two communities erupted after stones were allegedly pelted at a bike rally taken out to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti on April 12 evening. Several police personnel and civilians were injured in the clash.
Violent incidents again occurred in the city on April 14 when a procession was underway. A youth was allegedly stabbed to death; some shops were torched and ransacked in night.
The State Government clamped curfew and suspended internet services in the town for several days to restore normalcy in the city.
