Ancient City in Turmoil
Cuttack, the millennia-old city in Odisha renowned for its rich cultural heritage and communal harmony, found itself on edge this weekend following violent clashes that erupted during the Durga Puja idol immersion. What began as a minor disagreement over loud music soon spiraled into widespread unrest, prompting curfews, internet shutdowns, and a city-wide bandh.
Violent Clashes at Dargah Bazaar
The unrest reportedly began in the early hours of Saturday, between 1:30 am and 2 am, during an idol immersion procession that passed through the Dargah Bazaar area en route to the Kathajodi River. Tensions flared when a group of residents objected to the high-decibel music being played late into the night.
The situation escalated rapidly, with reports of stones and glass bottles being hurled from rooftops. Members of the procession allegedly retaliated, resulting in a full-blown clash. Among those injured was Cuttack’s Deputy Commissioner of Police, Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo.
To restore order, police were compelled to resort to a mild lathi charge. Authorities have so far arrested at least six individuals, with further arrests expected as CCTV footage, drone recordings, and mobile videos are being reviewed for identification.
Police Commissioner S Dev Datt Singh confirmed, “Those arrested were involved in stone pelting and were identified through CCTV footage. More arrests will follow.”
One civilian suffered serious injuries and was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital. The DCP’s condition is reported to be stable.
VHP Rally Rekindles Tensions
Even as the city began recovering from the initial violence, fresh tensions broke out on Sunday evening following a motorcycle rally organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), defying administrative restrictions.
The rally, which began in Bidyadharpur, passed through Dargah Bazaar—already a flashpoint—and concluded in Sector 11 of the CDA area. Officials reported damage to CCTV cameras, and several shops in Gourishankar Park were vandalised, with some allegedly set on fire.
In response, police once again employed mild force to disperse groups attempting to incite further unrest.
Internet Services Suspended to Contain Misinformation
In an attempt to curb the spread of misinformation and inflammatory content on social media, the Odisha government imposed an internet ban across Cuttack Municipal Corporation, CDA areas, and the surrounding 42 Mauza region. The shutdown commenced at 7 pm on Sunday and will continue until 7 pm Monday.
Platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram have been rendered inaccessible during this period. Police presence has been reinforced in sensitive zones, including Dargah Bazaar, Gourishankar Park, and Bidyadharpur. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed to support local law enforcement.
Chief Minister Appeals for Calm
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also heads the Home Department, expressed his sorrow over the events and urged citizens to maintain the city’s legacy of unity.
“Cuttack is a thousand-year-old city known for its communal harmony. The peace has been disturbed by the actions of a few miscreants,” he said in an official statement.
He assured that strict action would be taken against all those involved and directed health officials to provide free medical care to those injured.
Opposition Voices Concern
Former Chief Minister and BJD President Naveen Patnaik, now serving as the Leader of the Opposition, also issued a public appeal for peace. Describing the violence as “deeply concerning,” he noted that “Odisha has always been a peace-loving state.”
He also criticized the current administration, alleging police ineffectiveness and claiming that law and order have deteriorated under the new BJP-led government.
Political Fallout and Bandh Call
The VHP has declared a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday, holding the administration responsible for failing to ensure a peaceful immersion procession. They have demanded the immediate transfer of both the Deputy Commissioner of Police and the District Collector.
The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) blamed “anti-social elements” for attempting to disturb communal harmony. Congress MLA Sofia Firdous, who represents Barabati-Cuttack, emphasized the importance of upholding the city’s long-standing tradition of unity during Durga Puja.
“Durga Puja has been celebrated here for over 500 years. Those responsible for disrupting the peace must be held accountable under the law,” she asserted.
High-Level Security and Prohibitory Orders
To manage the volatile situation, Director General of Police (DGP) YB Khurania convened an emergency meeting with senior officials. CM Majhi has been receiving constant updates from the Home Department.
Immersion activities, briefly halted for nearly three hours on Saturday, resumed under tight security and were completed by 9:30 am on Sunday. According to police, all 120 idols were immersed without further incident.
Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code remain in effect across multiple locations to prevent unlawful gatherings. Additional forces continue to guard sensitive zones to preempt any flare-ups.
