Internet Suspension in Bhadrak Extended Till Friday Evening Following Clash Over Cattle Smuggling

The Odisha government on Thursday extended the suspension of internet services in parts of Bhadrak district till 6 PM on Friday, in the wake of a violent clash that claimed the life of a man. The incident, which reportedly stemmed from a dispute over alleged cattle smuggling, prompted authorities to impose restrictions to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain law and order.

The internet shutdown, which began on June 12, will continue in Bhadrak, Tihidi, and Dhamnagar blocks, as well as in areas under the jurisdiction of Bhadrak Municipality and the Dhamnagar Notified Area Council (NAC), district magistrate-cum-collector Dilip Routrai informed.

“The situation is well under control, and no untoward incidents have been reported so far,” said Routrai, adding that security forces have been deployed to sensitive areas to maintain peace.

The administration took the precautionary step of suspending internet services to curb the spread of rumors and provocative content on social media platforms, which could potentially inflame tensions.

Local authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, and the decision on restoring internet services will be taken based on a comprehensive review of the law and order scenario.