Simmering communal tension prevailed in Soro and Rourkela, prompting the police administration to impose prohibitory orders and go in for massive deployment to avert any untoward incident.

While the trouble in Soro of Balasore district over the last three days forced the police to re-impose night curfew for the second successive day, section 144 CrPC was promulgated in parts of Rourkela.

As a measure of abundant precaution,the police administration also imposed prohibitory orders under section 144 CrPC in Pattamundei area of Kendrapara district following a minor incident on Tuesday.

Disconcertingly,the three towns in different districts, had witnessed flare-ups during the immersion ceremony of Lord Ganesh. However Eid went off peacefully in Soro and the other trouble-hit areas as the police relaxed prohibitory orders but refused permission for processions. Director General of Police (DGP) K B Singh said the peace committee meetings had been held at a local level and the situation is under control.

He maintained that the arson in Soro was by mischief mongers. Some of them ( 13 persons) have been arrested. No fresh violence was reported in Soro, but the night curfew would be in force. Balasore district SP Nitin Sekhar said adequate forces have been deployed.

Tension had erupted since Friday night following violence during immersion of Lord Ganesh idols and prohibitory orders were clamped since Saturday morning. A report from Kendrapara district said prohibitory orders under section 144 Cr PC continues to remain enforced in Pattamundai town, a day after disturbances between two communities over immersion of Lord Ganesh idol.

The local Muslims observed Idul Zuha festival.However there was communal amity during the observance of Eid , said Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), Uma Shankar Moharana. Patrolling has been beefed up as a precautionary measure, he added. Trouble had arisen on Monday as a group had stopped the procession from going ahead in a locality in the ward no-11 of the township.

Later a section of people from a community had staged road blockade at various places of the township. The tension in Rourkela again arose during a immersion procession Monday night. There was heavy brick batting and a few vehicles were damaged by mobs. The administration promptly imposed prohibitory orders from Bisra Chowk to Uditnagar

. “We have deployed 10 platoons and have another few at our disposal, whom we may use in case of requirement,” said SP Rourkela Anirudha Singh.

IG Western Range RK Sharma is monitoring the situation. The peace committee met on Tuesday. Rourkela MLA Dilip Ray who is in Delhi appealed for peace and was in constant touch with leaders of different communities.