By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, April 8, 2017 : The security forces held flag march in violence-hit areas in Bhadrak town following unrest erupted on offensive remark on Hindu deities.

Meanwhile, the Centre rushed 2,000 paramilitary personnel to the trouble-torn town where the curfew remained in force. The state administration has deployed 35 platoons of state police forces at the communal violence-hit areas of the town.

Total 15 platoons of police forces along with anti-riot vehicle Vajra and senior officials including ADG Binayananda Jha participated in the flag march, which started from Town police station.

“The situation is under control. The curfew has remained in force in the town. 35 platoons of police have been deployed at several places of the town. If required, more forces will be deployed. All the necessary measures are being taken to restore peace and harmony in the town. Four companies of central forces will reach Bhadrak after State wrote to Centre to control the situation”, said Odisha Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi.

“Bhadrak town is prone to communal incidents given our past experience. Though the state police have been deployed to control the situation, we need reinforcement of specialized forces for tackling communal violence. I would, therefore, request your intervention to deploy four companies of Rapid Action Force immediately to aide the state police at Bhadrak town,” Padhi wrote to Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi.