Tension in Odisha's Bhadrak after man's death in clash over cattle smuggling internet suspended

    Bhubaneswar/Bhadrak, Jun 12 (PTI) Internet services have been suspended in parts of Odisha's Bhadrak district in the wake of tension following the death of a man during a clash over cattle smuggling, police said on Thursday.
    Bhadrak SP Manoj Rout said the decision to suspend internet services for 24 hours from 6 am on Thursday was taken in order to maintain the law and order situation. He said internet services were suspended in five areas - Bhadrak Municipality, Bhadrak Block, Dhamnagar NAC, Dhamnagar Block and Tihidi Block.
    Though the situation remained under control, the police had a tough time when members of 'Bhadrak Go Rakshya Samiti' held a procession carrying the body of the man who died in the May 30 clash. The deceased identified as Santosh Parida (45) of Kasati village succumbed to injuries at a hospital in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
    Around 3,000 people joined Parida's funeral procession, which went to his native village at Kasati under Tihidi police station area, a senior police officer said, adding that there was no untoward incident so far.
    Parida was allegedly attacked by members of a rival group for opposing cattle smuggling on May 30, he said, quoting the FIR lodged by the family members.
    Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh and a job for one of the family members of the deceased and ordered strict action against the culprits.
    The chief minister also announced that the state government would bear the entire cost of education for the children of Santosh Parida, who died in the clash. "We stand with the bereaved family, and are taking all necessary steps to ensure peace prevails," he said in a statement.
    The district administration has deployed more than 800 security personnel in sensitive areas of Bhadrak, a police officer said.
    Addressing a press conference, DIG, Eastern Range (Balasore) Satyajit Nayak said that the police have so far arrested 12 people in connection with the clash. They were arrested from within Odisha and outside the state, he said, adding that the administration was in constant touch with community leaders and holding discussions to avoid any flare-up.
    "We are watchful of the situation. I appeal to people to remain calm and do not believe in rumour or any social media post," the DIG said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)