On Friday,3rd September, violence broke out in Cuttack city during a Durga Puja immersion procession. The incident occurred in Haathi Pokhari's Dargha Bazaar, where locals demanded that the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee turn down the loud music. Following that, a confrontation erupted, with stone-throwing and bottle-throwing from roofs, injuring several individuals, including DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Cuttack DCP Rishikesh Khilari, who was present at the scene to monitor security measures, got an eye injury among other police personnel assigned on duty. One individual has been reported to be in critical condition.
What is the situation now?
Following the clash on Friday, several residents of the locality staged a protest, and the immersion activities were suspended temporarily till the early hours of Saturday.
On Sunday, further violence erupted when police clashed with protesters at Cuttack's Dargah Bazar, resulting in more casualties. According to the PTI news agency, at least twenty-five people suffered injuries in fresh violence.
The Government ordered a Curfew
Following the incident, the Odisha Government had declared a curfew. According to police, the orders will stay for 36 hours, beginning at 10 p.m. on Sunday. While internet and social media services were ordered to be suspended for 24 hours across major parts of Cuttack. The orders were imposed on 13 major police station areas.
The prohibitory orders were issued in 13 police station areas: Dargah Bazaar, Mangalabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lal Bagh, Bidanasi, Markat Nagar, CDA Phase 2, Malgodam, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalis Mouza, and Sadar.
In an earlier official announcement about the internet suspension, the state home department stated that the decision was made to prevent the circulation of "provocative and inflammatory messages" on social media platforms, which could disrupt public order and peace.
Broadband, mobile internet, and all online messaging apps, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X, and WhatsApp, are all suspended.
Vandalism and fire erupted on Sunday
Rioters reportedly set fire at 8–10 locations near Gourishankar Park on Sunday evening, which damaged shops and CCTV cameras. Fire services and police came in to control the situation. Security guards intervened to break up the protest, but stones were thrown, and fires broke out. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets to stop the casualties. The injuries included eight police officers.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called for peace
Local MLAs, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, previous Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi have all encouraged people to preserve communal peace. CM Majhi said "Communal harmony is non-negotiable," and promised to take tough action against the culprits.
More than 10,000 people attended the VHP rally
On Sunday, a large number of VHP supporters marched down to Bajrakbati Road while chanting divisive chants demanding the removal of a minority group. The rally increased tensions within the community and provoked anger. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad called for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday.
