Cuttack, Oct 6: The Odisha police on Monday said the situation in Cuttack city, which witnessed unrest following violent clashes during the Durga Puja idol immersion procession, has returned to normal.
ADG Law and Order Sanjay Kumar stated that six people have been arrested, and additional arrests are expected in separate cases.
“We have received reports of some unfortunate incidents here. Essentially, it was not a communal issue but a group clash in which several police officers were injured. Six people have been arrested so far, and more arrests are anticipated in separate cases,” said the ADG.
“They have been identified through CCTV footage and various digital platforms. We will arrest the other culprits very soon,” he added.
A curfew has been implemented to prevent the violence from escalating, with approximately 50 platoons of forces deployed in the city. Additionally, ten platoons have been placed on standby.
“Furthermore, we have deployed CAPF companies here. The situation remains completely peaceful and is expected to continue in this manner,” the ADG informed.
Cuttack had been grappling with escalating unrest following violent clashes during the Durga Puja idol immersion procession on Friday night. The violence, which began near Haathi Pokhari in the Dargah Bazaar area, resulted in injuries, property damage, and widespread tension across the city.
In response to the violence, the Odisha government imposed a 36-hour curfew under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), effective from 10 PM on Sunday until 10 AM on Tuesday. During this period, only emergency services remained operational, while all commercial establishments were closed. The authorities deployed 60 platoons of state police forces and eight companies of paramilitary forces, including the Rapid Action Force, Border Security Force, Central Reserve Police Force, and the Odisha Swift Action Force, to maintain law and order.
Additionally, internet services were suspended across Cuttack to prevent the spread of false, provocative, and inflammatory messages on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X, which could disturb public peace and order. The suspension was in effect from 7 PM on Sunday to 7 PM on Monday.
The Odisha government has appealed to citizens to maintain peace and communal harmony, emphasizing the importance of unity in overcoming the current challenges.
Tags: prameyanews Durga Puja Cuttack Unrest Violence Cuttack Violence Curfew Cuttack City
