Clashes erupt during Durga Puja in Cuttack; internet shut and curfew imposed, VHP calls for Bandh
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has called for 12-hour bandh on Monday and rebuked the administration for failing to maintain law and order during the procession.
PTC News Desk: The Odisha government on Sunday night imposed prohibitory orders across 13 police station limits and suspended internet services in Cuttack after fresh clashes during a Durga idol immersion procession left 25 people injured, officials said. Additional Police Commissioner Narasingha Bhola stated that a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS, effectively a curfew, had been issued by the magistrate.
“This order will be in effect from 10 pm Sunday until 10 am Monday (October 7). We will assess the situation further and take a decision accordingly. As of today, only emergency services are open. Government offices, schools, and colleges are operating, while hospitals, pharmacies, grocery stores, and petrol pumps remain open. All other commercial establishments are closed,” he said.
He added that the situation was currently peaceful, with residents cooperating with authorities. “We have 60 platoons of state police forces already deployed, and today eight companies of paramilitary forces have arrived. Units such as the Rapid Action Force, BSF, CRPF, and Odisha Swift Action Force are deployed at key locations and junctions and are closely monitoring activities. We are identifying those responsible for the violence and will take action against them for damage caused to public and private property,” Bhola said.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad has called for 12-hour bandh on Monday and rebuked the administration for failing to maintain law and order during the procession.
The clashes broke out after locals objected to loud music being played during the Durga Puja idol immersion. “Arguments soon escalated into a confrontation when a mob started throwing stones and glass bottles from rooftops on the procession, injuring several revellers, including Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo,” an official said.
In response to the clashs, police resorted to lathicharge. Several vehicles and roadside stalls were sabotaged and immersion activities were halted for nearly three hours before the order was restored.
Members of Puja committees staged demonstrations demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the attack. The VHP, blaming the district administration for the unrest, demanded the transfer of both the DCP and district collector.
“The authorities failed to ensure peaceful immersion despite repeated requests,” said a VHP spokesperson, announcing a dawn-to-dusk bandh in the city on October 6.