Internet services suspended in Odisha town ahead of Ram Navami

The district administration in Odisha's Bhadrak on Saturday suspended internet services for next two days in a bid to maintain law and order during Ram Navami celebrations.

Bhubaneswar: In view of the communal tension last year during the Ram Navami celebrations, the district administration in Odisha's Bhadrak on Saturday suspended internet services for next two days in a bid to maintain law and order.

Internet services were suspended for 48 hours starting from 6 pm on Saturday to prevent misuse of social media and maintain communal harmony during Ram Navami celebrations.

"The internet services were snapped as a precautionary measure to maintain communal harmony ahead of Ram Navami," said Bhadrak Superintendent of Police Anup Sahu.

He said as many as 50 platoons of police personnel have been deployed in the town for the smooth conduct of the festival.

Internet providers were asked to stop their services so that rumour mongers cannot operate social media platforms which help in fanning communal tension.

The Orissa High Court has directed the state government and the district administration to take adequate measures to prevent any untoward incident and ensure that there was no communal tension during the procession and performance of other related rituals on the auspicious day.

Communal tension between Hindus and Muslims erupted in the district headquarters during the Sankirtan procession on the occasion of Ram Navami in April last year and after derogatory remarks against Hindu gods being posted on social media. Police had arrested over 150 persons over the incident.