Cuttack’s Late Night Clashes Leave Dozens Injured, Including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP)

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In a dramatic escalation of communal tension, Cuttack witnessed clashes between two groups during a Durga Puja idol immersion procession, injuring dozens and triggering unrest. The Odisha government responded with curfew, internet and social media suspension, and other prohibitory orders across the city. 

Misinformation Crackdown

From Sunday night, the Odisha government imposed a 36-hour curfew, after the declaration of a 24-hour suspension of internet and social media services across large areas of Cuttack city. The 13 affected police station areas are: Dargah Bazaar, Mangalabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lal Bagh, Bidanasi, Markat Nagar, CDA Phase 2, Malgodam, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalis Mouza, and Sadar police station area.

In an official notification over internet suspension, the state home department said the “decision was taken to curb the spread of provocative and inflammatory messages on social media platforms that could disrupt public order and peace. The suspension covers mobile internet, broadband, and all online messaging services, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Snapchat, from 7 PM on Sunday.”

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According to the notification signed by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahu, the order was issued under Section 5(2) of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and Rule 2(1) of the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.

Inside the Clashes that Brought Cuttack to a Halt

According to police, the clashes erupted between 1:30 AM and 2:00 AM near Haathi Pokhari when a group of locals allegedly objected to loud music being played during the procession of the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee in the Dargha Bazaar area.

The dispute escalated suddenly, with stones and glass bottles reportedly hurled from rooftops onto the crowd. Several vehicles and roadside stalls were also damaged in the chaos.

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In response, police were forced to carry out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd. At least half a dozen people were injured, including Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. Police have arrested six people in connection with the violence and are scanning CCTV footage, drone visuals, and eyewitness accounts to identify others involved.

“When the police tried to stop the rally, tension erupted. The rally was headed towards some sensitive areas where communal tension could have flared up. As the police took a firm stand and prevented the rally from proceeding further, the participants started pelting stones at the police. Twenty-five personnel were injured, eight of them seriously,” Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh said after reviewing the situation.

The immersion procession of another committee, Rausapatna Durga Kali Medha, which was following close behind, was also disrupted as the violence intensified.

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Police and Rapid Action Force personnel have conducted flag marches in sensitive areas of Cuttack, including Dargha Bazaar, Mangalabag, and Choudhury Bazaar, to maintain peace.

CM Condemns the Act of Violence 

Condemning the violence, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed police to take strict action against those involved.

“Communal harmony is non-negotiable. The culprits will face exemplary punishment,” Majhi said in a statement. 

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VHP Calls for a 'bandh'

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad had called for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday. “Despite repeated requests, the police failed to control miscreants. We demand immediate action against negligent officials,” a VHP spokesperson told reporters.

This is not the first time Odisha has witnessed temporary internet restrictions. Similar suspensions were imposed in Sambalpur and Balasore in 2023 and 2024, respectively, following incidents of communal unrest.