The Odisha government has imposed a 48-hour Internet shutdown in the Bhadrak district following violent communal clashes over social media posts.

A notification from the Home Department of the Odisha government issued on Saturday morning said, “In order to prevent the spread of inflammatory and motivated messages in the media to disturb the public order in Bhadrak district and restore peace and amity, the Home Department hereby extends the prohibition of the use and access of Social Media platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X and any other through the Internet and other media of data services for 48 (forty eight) hours up to 0200 September 30, 2024 in Bhadrak district.”