A rally was held at Khariar on Wednesday by the General and OBC Sangathan of Khariar.
As the normalcy was yet to return to Khariar town after the high tension episode of Tuesday between dalits and non-dalits on the issue of Supreme Court order on the SC/ST Atrocity Act, police were unwilling to allow the Sangathan to stage the rally. But the Sangathan insisted on holding it and assured that no untoward situation would happen.
"The objective of today's rally was to protest against the inaction of the Superintendent of Police (SP), Nuapada, which encouraged some people to oppose us in conducting the rally on Tuesday," said Manoj Pattnaik, one of the organisers.
"Had the SP dealt with the situation properly without showing favour to the other groups, things would not have aggravated," he added.
Tension continued to prevail till the end of the rally as the organisers as well the police apprehended a tussle between the supporters and protesters of the SC order. About 500 people participated in the rally.
"It will remain a dark spot in the history of Khariar, which was always proud of communal harmony and brotherhood," said well-wishers of Khariar. "The citizens as well as the police administration should initiate early steps to bring peace," they added.
Memorandums were by the Sangathan to the Governor, the Chief Minister and the DG of Police.