Clashes Erupt in Odisha’s Cuttack: Internet Blackout and Curfew Imposed Amid Durga Puja Tensions
Cuttack, Odisha’s historic city renowned for its deep-rooted tradition of interfaith coexistence, grappled with heightened unrest on Sunday, just days after violent confrontations marred a Durga Puja idol immersion ceremony.
The disturbances, which originated from disputes over amplified music during a late-night procession in the Dargah Bazaar neighborhood, have escalated rapidly, prompting a temporary halt to internet access, a community shutdown demand, and urgent calls for restraint from leaders across political lines. Local authorities have enforced a 36-hour curfew in multiple zones, encompassing the volatile Dargah Bazaar district.
Outbreak in Dargah Bazaar
Eyewitnesses and law enforcement accounts indicate that the initial flare-up unfolded between 1:30 a.m. and 2 a.m. on Saturday, as a group of Durga idol carriers en route to the Kathajodi riverbanks encountered resistance from residents irked by the volume of nighttime sound. What began as a verbal standoff swiftly turned physical, with projectiles like stones and glass bottles hurled from nearby rooftops, met by counteractions from procession participants.
In the ensuing disorder, injuries mounted, including to Cuttack’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. Officers deployed a restrained baton charge to break up the crowd and regain control. To date, six individuals have been detained, with investigators poring over surveillance videos from CCTV, drones, and phones to pinpoint additional perpetrators.
Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datt Singh stated, “Those arrested were involved in stone pelting and were identified through CCTV footage. More arrests will follow.”
One victim suffered severe wounds and received care at SCB Medical College and Hospital, while the DCP’s health remains steady, officials reported.
Renewed Friction During VHP Procession
As the area sought to stabilize, fresh agitation stirred Sunday evening when the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a motorcycle convoy in violation of administrative curbs. Launching from Bidyadharpur on the city’s eastern fringe, the event traversed the flashpoint Dargah Bazaar before ending in Sector 11 of the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) territory.
Authorities noted sabotage to route-side CCTV units and acts of destruction against shops in the Gourishankar Park vicinity, some reportedly ignited. Commissionerate Police applied minimal force to quell potential disruptors.
Suspension of Internet Services
Responding to the surge in hostilities, the Odisha administration cut off internet connectivity in jurisdictions covered by the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, CDA, and surrounding 42 Mauza areas, effective from 7 p.m. Sunday until 7 p.m. Monday.
The decision, per officials, seeks to stifle rumor-mongering and suppress provocative online material on platforms including WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Bolstered patrols now blanket high-risk spots like Dargah Bazaar, Gourishankar Park, and Bidyadharpur, augmented by Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to support regional officers.
Leadership Calls for Tranquility
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, overseeing the Home department, voiced regret over the episodes and implored citizens to safeguard Cuttack’s legacy of solidarity.
“Cuttack is a thousand-year-old city known for its unity and communal harmony. Due to the actions of some miscreants, peace has been disturbed in recent days,” Mr Majhi said in a statement.
He pledged vigilant oversight and uncompromising measures against culprits: “The government is keeping a close watch on troublemakers. No one will be spared. Strict legal action will follow.”
Mr Majhi further instructed provision of gratis healthcare for clash victims.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also pressed for composure, underscoring the imperative to restore amity in the silver city.