Cuttack, one of Odisha’s oldest cities, known for its long-standing communal harmony, faced heightened tension over the weekend after clashes occurred during the immersion of Durga Puja idols. These tensions led to violence, a curfew, and a 36-hour suspension of internet services in certain areas of the city.
The unrest began early Saturday morning, around 1:30 to 2 a.m., when a procession for the immersion of a Durga idol was halted by local residents who objected to the loud music being played late at night. What began as a disagreement quickly escalated into stone pelting, prompting police to intervene with a lathi charge to disperse the crowd, according to police statements.
Authorities reported that at least six individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. “Those arrested were involved in stone pelting and were identified through CCTV footage. More arrests are expected to follow,” said Police Commissioner S. Dev Datt Singh. The police are analyzing CCTV, drone, and mobile footage to identify further suspects, although Maktoob has not been able to verify the identities of those detained.
In response to the violence, city officials imposed a curfew for 36 hours across various areas, including Dargah Bazaar. The Odisha government also suspended internet services within the jurisdiction of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the neighboring 42 Mauza area from 7 p.m. Sunday to 7 p.m. Monday.
Tensions re-escalated on Sunday evening when members of the Hindutva organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) held a motorcycle rally that defied district administration orders. The rally originated in Bidyadharpur on the eastern outskirts and traversed through Dargah Bazaar, concluding at Sector 11 in the CDA area. Officials reported that CCTV cameras along the route were damaged and shops in the Gourishankar Park area were vandalized and, reportedly, set on fire. The violence incited widespread panic and further exacerbated communal strains in the city.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also oversees the Home portfolio, expressed regret over the incidents and called for peace among residents. “Cuttack’s ethos of brotherhood has withstood centuries. I appeal to everyone to uphold it in these difficult times,” he stated.
Opposition leader and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, now leading the Biju Janata Dal (BJD), criticized the BJP-led state government for what he deemed administrative failure. “The police appeared completely helpless in controlling the situation. The pressure on law enforcement under the BJP government disrupts law and order in the state,” Patnaik emphasized.
Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, representing the Barabati–Cuttack constituency, expressed distress over the violence. “Our city is a living example of unity and tradition—Durga Puja has been celebrated here for more than 500 years. Those who sought to disrupt this unity, identifiable through CCTV and drone footage, must face legal consequences,” she remarked.
Amid the persisting tensions, the VHP has announced a 12-hour bandh (shutdown) in Cuttack on Monday, which comes during an ongoing internet blackout and curfew, further intensifying fears of escalation in a city that has long regarded itself as a symbol of coexistence and shared heritage.
Tags: Cuttack, VHP rallies, Durga Puja, curfew, internet shutdown
Hashtags: #Cuttack #edge #VHP #rallies #defy #ban #clashes #Durga #Puja #music #trigger #curfew #internet #shutdown
