Sambalpur, April 12: At least 10 police personnel were injured on Wednesday in violence during a motorbike rally organised in Odisha's Sambalpur city ahead of the Hanuman Jayanti, an official said. The festival is celebrated in Odisha on the Maha Vishuva Sankranti which falls on April 14 this year.

One makeshift shop and several two-wheelers were set on fire while a number of cars were damaged during the violence. According to preliminary reports, the violence erupted when stones were thrown at the rally participated by around 1000 motorcyclists as they were passing through Bhudapara and Sunapli under Dhanupalli police station area in the city. Internet Services Suspended for 48 Hours, 26 Detained in Sambalpur over Hanuman Jayanti Violence.

However, the exact cause of the violence would be known after investigation, the official said. The injured police personnel, including an additional  superintendent of police and two inspectors, were taken to a hospital. Odisha Postal Circle Recommends CBI Probe into Fake Certificate Scam.

The rally, organised by Hanuman Jayanti Coordination Committee, was stopped by the administration. Additional force deployment is being made at the place of violence, the official said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)