Bhubaneswar, Sept 28: The Odisha Home Department has imposed a 48-hour ban on social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook in Bhadrak district following violent unrest in the Santhia area on Friday night, triggered by a controversial social media post.

The ban, implemented under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services Rules, 2017, restricts internet and data service access to these platforms.

A notification by Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrat Sahu stated, "Messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and others have the potential to inflame communal tensions, causing disturbances to public order in Bhadrak district." The ban aims to prevent the spread of inflammatory messages and restore peace in the area.

The unrest began when a protest over the social media post escalated into violence, resulting in serious injuries to three senior police officials. Efforts are underway to restore calm.

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