Dikhyaa Mohanty 
All communal religious processions in the district are now prohibited for a year by the Sambalpur district government. The choice was made during a meeting of the peace committee on Thursday in Sambalpur.
Speaking about the decision, SP Mukesh Bhamu said, “We want peace in the town. This decision has been taken to discourage any such situation which disrupted law and order during the last Ram Navami. It was necessary, keeping in mind the upcoming Muharram and Hanuman Jayanti festivals. The religious festivals can be observed with pomp and gaiety but no permission will be given for taking out any procession. Communal harmony is important to us and we want to maintain peace.”
A opposing party threw stones during a procession last year that was held to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti. Over 100 people have been detained overall in relation to the incident in Sambalpur. The district borders with Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Angul, and Sonepur have been shut by the Sambalpur government. In an effort to stabilize the deteriorating law and order situation and return to normalcy, internet services were also banned and curfew restrictions were put in place.
