Bhubaneswar, Mar 25: Internet services in Odisha's Bhadrak district was clamped down by the administration on Saturday citing communal tensions. The services will remain terminated till the passage of Ram Navami Nagar Sankirtan Sobha Jatra today.

The civil curfew imposed in the district since March 15 will be relaxed between 1 pm and 6 pm today to facilitate the procession to be undertaken.

The administration had earlier denied permission to the Sriram Mahayajna Samiti of Bhadrak to carry out the procession, citing the communal violence which broke out in the district following the Ram Navami celebrations last year.

The Odisha High Court, which heard the plea of Sriram Mahayajna Samiti, had earlier upheld the administration's decision. However, the select bench of the court, while hearing the review petition, overruled the ban.

The petitioner’s counsel Pitambar Acharya said the erstwhile bench of the High Court, which supported the administration's decision, was cited incorrect figures by the government. "The court was told that 13 people had died in the communal violence. But they did not mention that these figures are of 1991, not 2017," he said.

The riots last year in Bhadrak were triggered after miscreants on social media made vulgar posts on Ram Navami celebrations.

In order to avert clashes, the administration has not only banned internet in Bhadrak, but the State Crime Branch is monitoring the overall social media feed in Odisha to prevent outsiders from stoking tensions.

Meanwhile, the Sriram Mahayajna Samiti on Friday appealed its cadres to ensure the procession is carried out in a peaceful manner. "I appeal everyone in Bhadrak to abide by the law and maintain communal harmony," said the outfit's convenor Manmohan Samal.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2018 10:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).