Cuttack on Edge After Durga Idol Immersion Clashes: Internet Suspended, VHP Announces Bandh

Tensions escalated in Odisha’s Cuttack on Sunday following violent clashes during Goddess Durga idol immersion, prompting authorities to impose a 36-hour curfew, suspend internet services, and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) to announce a 12-hour bandh on October 6.

What Happened

The clashes erupted between 1:30 am and 2 am near Haathi Pokhari in the Daraghabazar area when an immersion procession was heading toward Debigara on the banks of the Kathajodi river, according to police reports cited by PTI.

Officials stated that the unrest began after some locals objected to high-decibel music during the procession. The situation quickly escalated, with stones and glass bottles allegedly hurled from rooftops, injuring several people, including Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. The police resorted to a lathi charge to control the crowd.

The clashes caused damage to vehicles and roadside stalls, and immersion activities were temporarily halted for nearly three hours as members of Puja committees protested, demanding arrests of those responsible.

Arrests and VHP Response

Six people have been arrested so far, with authorities using CCTV footage, drone visuals, and eyewitness accounts to identify others involved. The VHP accused the administration of failing to maintain law and order and demanded the immediate transfer of the DCP and district collector.

A VHP spokesperson said, “The authorities failed to ensure peaceful immersion despite repeated requests.” The organisation has called a dawn-to-dusk bandh on Monday in protest.

Internet Suspension

To prevent the spread of inflammatory messages, the Odisha government ordered a temporary suspension of internet and social media services in parts of Cuttack from 7 PM on October 5 to 7 PM on October 6. Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu cited the need to curb false and provocative content on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Snapchat.

36-Hour Curfew

The Commissionerate Police imposed a 36-hour curfew in 13 police station areas, effective from 10 PM on Sunday. Curfew zones include Dargah Bazaar, Manglabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lalbag, Bidanasi, Markatnagar, CDA Phase-II, Malgodown, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalish Mouza, and Sadar police station limits.

Additional police forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, with round-the-clock patrolling to maintain law and order. Citizens have been urged to cooperate, remain indoors during curfew hours, and avoid spreading unverified information on social media.

The authorities continue to monitor the situation closely to prevent any further unrest in the city.