Bhadrak: Orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code that prohibits assembly of more than four people in an area were relaxed in Bhadrak town and its peripheral areas on Sunday to help a Ram Navami procession pass through the area.

The prohibition was lifted temporarily following a high court direction.

However, Internet service remained suspended to maintain law and order from Saturday. The suspension will be in effect till Monday evening.

"Internet services have been suspended from yesterday (Saturday) evening till 6pm on Monday to prevent any kind of abuse on social media that may offend any community and to ensure peace and harmony," said additional district magistrate. Rambhakt Mishra.

Bhadrak additional superintendent of police K.C. Parida said: "The prohibitory order were relaxed from 2pm to 9pm on Sunday for the procession. Yesterday (Saturday), the restrictions were relaxed during Kalash Yatra."

"As many as 50 platoons of police force, including swift action force, have been deployed in the town for smooth conduct of the festival," he said. Armed police have been deployed in sensitive areas such as Purunabazaar, Kuansa, Bant Square, Nuabazaar, Chandanbazar and Apartibindha Square.

The district administration had clamped the prohibitory order on Saturday fearing law and order problems during the celebrations. Last year, mischief mongers posted objectionable remarks against Hindu deities on social media during Ram Navami, leading to communal tension and large-scale damage of properties in the town.

Some 230 persons from two communities were arrested as a result.