The Odisha government on Thursday suspended Internet services in Sambalpur district for 48 hours against the backdrop of violence in the run-up to Hanuman Jayanti that left several people, including policemen, injured.

The police said Net services had been suspended to prevent the circulation of inflammatory and motivated messages after two groups had clashed on Wednesday during a Hanuman Jayanti bike rally brought out by the Hanuman Sammanaya Samiti.

The administration has also clamped prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 in six sensitive police station areas of Sambalpur that are considered to be BJP strongholds. The leader of the Opposition, Jaynarayan Mishra of the BJP, represents Sambalpur in the Assembly.

At least 10 police personnel including an additional superintendent of police were injured in the violence on Wednesday in Sambalpur town.

The police held a flag march in the town and the situation is under control, cops said. The police have so far arrested 26 people and detained another 43.

According to the notification issued by the home department, Internet services will be suspended in Sambalpur for 48 hours from 10am on Thursday.

Sambalpur superintendent of police Battula Gangadhar said: “The situation is under control. We have mobilised 30 platoons of policemen and another 10 platoons will be deployed. We are taking action based on photographs and videos. More people will be taken into custody.”

“We have seized petrol bombs and are investigating whether it’s a conspiracy to create violence. The organisers of Hanuman Jayanti have been asked to report to the police,” the SP added.

Sources said a bike rally had been organised in Sambalpur on Wednesday evening ahead of Hanuman Jayanti. Some persons allegedly hurled stones at people taking part in the rally, triggering a retaliation. The rallyists attacked the police when they intervened. Ten police personnel and 20 rally participants suffered injuries. A shop was set on fire and several vehicles parked on the roadside were vandalised.