Odisha: Fresh violence in Cuttack, 36-hour curfew imposed

The Odisha government on Sunday night imposed prohibitory orders in 13 police station areas and suspended internet services in Cuttack, where 25 people were injured in fresh violence, following a recent group clash during a Durga idol immersion procession. Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said the orders will be effective for 36 hours from 10 pm on Sunday.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.

VIDEO | Odisha: A 36-hour curfew was imposed in 13 areas of Cuttack after clashes with police.

Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Commissioner of Police (CP) Suresh Singh Dev Dutta says, "In Cuttack, a violence happened today. A day ago, during the time of Visarjan, during personal fight,… pic.twitter.com/Fp2HL7FyLd

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According to police and witnesses, the first outbreak of violence occurred between 1:30 am and 2 am on Saturday, when a Durga idol immersion procession passing through the Dargha Bazaar area towards the banks of the Kathajodi river was halted by a group of locals who objected to high-decibel music being played late at night. The disagreement quickly escalated. Stones and glass bottles were allegedly thrown from rooftops as members of the procession retaliated. Several people, including Cuttack's Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, were injured in the chaos.
Police said fresh tension flared after a group sought permission to hold a bike rally in the city, a request that cops denied fearing further unrest. Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Dr Suresh Debadutta Singh said, “An organisation in Cuttack requested permission to hold a bike rally, but it was denied as it could lead to communal tensions. When police enforced the order, clashes broke out, and eight policemen were injured in stone-throwing. The mob was later dispersed using force.”
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.