Bhubaneswar/Cuttack, October 6: Congress MLA Sofia Firdous condemned the recent violence in Cuttack, calling for the strictest possible action against the perpetrators. Firdous expressed her shock over the incidents and urged authorities to take firm action against those responsible for the unrest.
"We strongly condemn the unfortunate events that have transpired in Cuttack over the past two days. The destruction of ordinary shops and the violence that followed yesterday were deeply shocking. Such scenes are unacceptable," Firdous said, stressing the need for immediate and severe action against the antisocial elements behind the violence.
She reiterated the importance of restoring peace in the city and reaffirmed the demand for swift justice. "We demand that those involved in the violence be identified and punished to the fullest extent of the law. Cuttack is a place where we celebrate festivals and pujas together, and we will ensure peace is restored. Where there is peace, there is progress," Firdous added.
Earlier in the day, Cuttack's Additional Deputy General Law and Order, Sanjay Kumar, addressed the situation, stating that normalcy had been restored following the clashes during the Durga Puja immersion procession. Six individuals have been arrested so far, with further arrests expected in connection with separate cases. Kumar noted that the culprits had been identified using CCTV footage and other digital evidence.
"We have received reports of unfortunate incidents, but this was not a communal issue. It was a clash between groups, and several police officers were injured. Six people have been arrested, and additional arrests are anticipated. The culprits have been identified through CCTV and digital platforms, and we are closing in on the others. We will make further arrests shortly," Kumar said.
To prevent the situation from escalating, a curfew has been imposed in the city for 36 hours, with about 50 platoons of police deployed, and 10 more platoons on standby. Additionally, companies from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been stationed to maintain order.
Regarding the temporary internet shutdown, Kumar explained that it was necessary to curb the spread of false information and rumors on social media. "The situation is now completely peaceful and is expected to remain so. A few individuals were misusing the internet to spread misinformation, so we made the decision to shut down internet services temporarily. This has effectively stopped the spread of rumors," he added.
The clashes, which occurred during the Durga Puja immersion, resulted in injuries and property damage. In response, the state government has been actively monitoring the situation, with senior police officials working around the clock to restore peace. The Chief Minister is closely overseeing the situation to ensure law and order are maintained.
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