Prohibitory orders under section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Surakshya Sanhita (BNSS) were put in place in Gurudipokhari village and nearby villages within a 1km radius in Bhadrak district, Odisha, following a clash between two communities that left four persons injured.

The prohibitory orders were imposed from 2pm on September 19 and they will remain in force till 10pm on September 21.

Dhamnagar Tahasildar Dipak Das told The Telegraph: “Some people belonging to a minority community had fixed flags on bamboo poles at Arun Bazar under Dhusuri police station. The flags were put up on the occasion of Prophet Mohammad’s Jayanti, which was celebrated on Monday.”

He said: “On Thursday morning, the community members found that someone had uprooted the bamboo poles and torn the flags which hurt the sentiments of their community. They suspect members of another community are involved in it.”

Sources said later the minority community members challenged the members of the other community, which led to an altercation followed by violence.

Four persons were injured and two of them — Sushant Behera and Prashant Sahu — sustained grievous injuries and were admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The Bhadrak district administration has deployed four platoons of police force to ensure law and order in the area.

“The situation is under control. However, unlawful gathering and congregation are strictly prohibited in the area.” the Tahasildar said.