Odisha’s Cuttack is witnessing tensions after clashes occurred between two communities during a Durga idol immersion procession. The district is placed under a 36-hour curfew and internet suspension following fresh violence. At least 25 people were reportedly injured in the fresh violence on Sunday. The curfew will be effective for 36 hours from 10 pm on Sunday, while the internet and social media service suspension was for 24 hours across large parts of Cuttack city.
What happened in Cuttack?
On Sunday, violence broke out between two communities during an idol immersion procession in the Dargha Bazaar area late Friday night. Near Haathi Pokhari, a group of people allegedly objected to loud music being played during the procession, after which the clashes erupted between 1:30 am and 2 am on Friday. The altercation on Friday escalated as stones and glass bottles were reportedly hurled from rooftops onto the crowd.
Following this, over 10,000 people gathered in a massive rally on Bajrakbati Road. The protest, led by members of the Biswa Hindu Parisad and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), aimed to call for the removal of the minority community from the region. The rally was spearheaded by Nayan Mohanty, the BJP candidate from Cuttack.
The atmosphere in the city remains tense as the demonstrators dominate key streets, thus culminating in a controversial call for a Cuttack Bandh (shutdown) on Monday. In these demonstrations, the protesters chanted provocative slogans, demanding an “exclusive” Hindu-only identity for the city.
This rally has ignited widespread outrage, with various civil rights groups condemning it as an attack on communal harmony. Political leaders from all parties have also expressed deep concern about the growing polarisation. Additionally, residents are getting ready for potential disruptions tomorrow as the city prepares for the Cuttack Bandh.
Earlier, tensions soared in the city after a violent clash occurred between Hindu and Muslim groups during the Dussehra immersion processions. This unrest resulted in several injuries, including that of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), thus leaving the city on edge.
Prohibitory Orders Imposed
Prohibitory Orders have been imposed in 13 police station areas and will be effective for 36 hours from 10 pm on Sunday, said Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh. The prohibitory orders will be imposed in the police station areas of Dargah Bazaar, Mangalabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lalbag, Bidanasi, Markat Nagar, CDA Phase-2, Malgodam, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalis Mouza and Sadar, he told reporters.
Injuries
According to the police, twenty-five people were injured in the violence, including eight police personnel. The Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said that in the group clash on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, four people and two personnel suffered injuries. Of the four injured, three were discharged from the hospital on Saturday. “The fourth person remains under medical care and is currently stable… not in any danger,” he said.
