The district administration on Thursday imposed curfew as a precautionary measure in Kendrapada town after the situation deteriorated again after a faceoff between two communities.
Despite enforcement of Section 144 of CrPC since Wednesday, the two groups confronted each other near Kali Mandir Chhak on Thursday morning. Stones were pelted during the clash, following which additional police forces were deployed to control the situation. The mob also scuffled with cops, who resorted to a lathi-charge on it.
“The curfew will be in force from 4 pm today to 8.30 am tomorrow,” said Kendrapada Sub-Collector Sanjay Kumar Mishra.
At present, 14 platoons of police force are deployed while three more platoons and special officers from Cuttack would be roped in to strengthen policing, Mishra added.
Central Range IG Soumendra Priyadarshi, who rushed to the town, said the situation was under control and stringent action would be taken against lawbreakers.