After Sunday late-night violence in Cuttack, prohibitory orders have been imposed in 13 police stations in Cuttack and even the internet has been suspended as fresh violence broke out in the district on Monday. In the clashes, more than 25 people were injured. The violent clashes broke out during the Durga idol immersion procession. Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh confirmed that these prohibitory orders have been imposed for 36 hours, starting from 10 pm on Sunday.
Prohibitory orders are 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.
What is known so far?
On Saturday, clashes erupted between 1:30 am and 2 am at Haathi Pokhari in the Daragha bazar area, during an immersion procession moving towards Debigara on the banks of the Kathajodi river. This tension erupted when local people objected to loud music that was played during the procession. After the argument escalated, local people started throwing stones and glass bottles from rooftops, injuring many, including Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo.
One of the police officials shared that on Sunday the CCTV cameras of the area where violence erupted were vandalized and many shops in the Gourishankar Park area were set ablaze.
Currently, 130 personnel of 10 companies have been deployed in Cuttack, and a request for additional forces has been sent. At the same time, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack.
Why did fresh violence erupt?
After a motorcycle rally was organized by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), fresh violence broke out. During an interaction, Cuttack Police Commissioner CP Singh said, “Since their entry into the sensitive area was intended to create disharmony, police intervened. When they were stopped, the participants began pelting stones. The personnel were then forced to use mild lathi charge, tear gas, and rubber bullets to disperse the mob.”
