The city of Cuttack is on a knife-edge! Fresh incidents of violence and tension have rocked the city, following a group clash that erupted during a Durga idol immersion procession late last week. To bring the situation under control, the Odisha government has taken drastic action, including imposing a 36-hour curfew in major parts of the city and suspending internet services to stop the spread of misinformation.
Chaos Erupts After Immersion Clash
The initial violence broke out in the early hours of Saturday (October 4), between 1:30 am and 2:00 am, near Haathi Pokhari in Dargha Bazaar. Trouble started when a Durga idol immersion procession, led by the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee, was heading towards Debigada. Reports suggest locals objected to the high-decibel music being played, leading to a heated confrontation.
The situation quickly escalated into outright chaos, with a mob allegedly pelting stones and glass bottles from rooftops onto the procession. Several people were injured, including Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, who sustained a head injury. Police had to resort to a mild lathi charge to disperse the rioters. Six people were arrested initially in connection with this violence.
New Violence, Curfew, and Internet Ban
Tensions flared up again on Sunday (October 5). The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had called for a 12-hour bandh (strike) in Cuttack on Monday to protest the Friday-night clash. On Sunday evening, a group attempted to take out a motorcycle rally despite being denied permission by the district administration, citing law and order fears.
When police tried to stop the rally, fresh clashes erupted. The rally participants reportedly threw stones at the police, injuring at least eight police personnel and a total of 25 people in the new confrontation. Officials reported that CCTV cameras were damaged, and shops near the Gourishankar Park area were set on fire. Eight more people were arrested on Monday in connection with the attack on the police.
In response to the spiraling violence, authorities took stringent measures:
- 36-Hour Curfew: A 36-hour curfew has been imposed in at least 13 police station areas of Cuttack, starting from Sunday evening, with only essential services exempted.
- Internet Shutdown: The Odisha government has suspended internet and social media services (including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X) for 24 hours—from 7 pm Sunday to 7 pm Monday—across the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, CDA, and 42 Mauza regions. This move is to block the circulation of “false, provocative, and inflammatory messages.”
Political Leaders Appeal for Calm
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the disturbances. He appealed for peace, stating, “Cuttack is a thousand-year-old city known for its brotherhood. Due to the actions of some miscreants, the peace of the city has been disturbed.” He warned that the government is monitoring the situation and strict action will be taken against troublemakers.
Former Chief Minister and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik also voiced his concern, appealing to citizens to maintain the state’s reputation as a peace-loving place. Police and Central forces have been heavily deployed across sensitive zones, and senior officers are camping in Cuttack to closely monitor the situation.