Violence at Hanuman Jayanti bike rally in Odisha: Vehicles were pelted with stones and set on fire; Section 144 imposed in the area, 40 people detained

Violence broke out at a bike rally in Odisha’s Sambalpur on Wednesday, two days ahead of Hanuman Jayanti. A gumti and several two-wheelers were set on fire in the disturbance. Many cars were also vandalized. Ten policemen, including a woman policeman, were injured in stone pelting and arson. More than a thousand people participated in the rally.

The administration has imposed Section 144 in the district regarding the violence. Internet service has been stopped. Sambalpur SP B Gangadhar informed that after investigation, 40 people have been detained after registering a case. In Odisha, Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Maha Vishuva Sankranti which is falling on 14th April this year.

Stones were thrown at the rally from a house, after which violence broke out
A video of this incident has surfaced. It is seen that some people from a house are pelting stones at the rally. In response, the people present in the rally are seen throwing stones at the house. According to several media reports, these videos are from Bhudapara and Sunapalli areas under Dhanupalli police station area of the city. It was here that violence broke out after stone pelting on the bike rally.

Police force deployed in sensitive areas
Additional SP Tapan K Mohanty told the media that more than 10 policemen were injured in the incident. Adequate police force has been deployed at sensitive places in the city. He said that at present they are probing whether any person from outside other than the police force was also injured. Section 144 has been implemented in all 6 police station areas of Sambalpur city.