Mobile internet services resume in Sambalpur; 7 hours relaxation in curfew

Bhubaneswar: After a gap of 10 days since Hanuman Jayanti group clash, internet services resumed in Odisha’s Sambalpur town on Sunday with overall improvement in situation which also saw curfew being relaxed from 5 am to 8 pm.

Internet had been suspended since April 13 in the western Odisha town as a precautionary measure to prevent spread of inflammatory messages and fake messages amid the unrest. While broadband and leased line services were resumed for a limited time period of seven hours from 10 am to 5 pm, the suspension of mobile internet was extended till April 22.

A toll-free number was also issued for the public to report circulation of inappropriate messages or posts carrying hatred speech or false news.

Eid was a low-key affair in the town on Saturday as Muslim community offered prayers at different mosques. There was no mass prayer at Eidgah at Sakhipara due to restrictions on gatherings imposed by the districts administration.

Meanwhile, the Odisha unit of the BJP has sought a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to unravel the alleged conspiracy behind the clash that occurred on April 12 and 14.