NEW DELHI: Odisha 's Cuttack witnessed fresh communal tensions and violent clashes on Sunday after police denied permission for a bike rally organised by a group.
The confrontation escalated, leading to stone pelting, arson, and a police crackdown that left at least 25 people, including eight police personnel, injured. Authorities have imposed a 36-hour curfew and suspended internet services to prevent further unrest as rioters set fire to eight to ten locations on Sunday.
As the atmosphere in Cuttack remains highly tense, demonstrators occupied major streets on Sunday, culminating in a call for a Cuttack Bandh on Monday. During the rally, protesters were heard raising provocative slogans demanding an “exclusive Hindu-only identity” for the city.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed sorrow over the group clash and urged all citizens to maintain peace and order.
"Cuttack, with its rich thousand-year history, stands as a testament to unity and brotherhood. However, in recent days, the peace in the city was disrupted by some miscreants, affecting the daily lives of ordinary people. The govt is keeping an eye on these miscreants and will take strict action against them," the CM's statement read.
What triggered the clashes?
The violent confrontation in Cuttack stemmed from a series of incidents that began during the Durga idol immersion procession late Friday night and escalated further on Sunday.
Tension first broke out around 2 am on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday when the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee’s procession was heading to Debigada for the immersion of Goddess Durga .
Local residents reportedly objected to the loud music accompanying the procession, sparking a heated argument between the two groups. The situation quickly spiralled out of control as stones and glass bottles were hurled near Dargah Bazar Jail Road, turning the area into a conflict zone.
Police were forced to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Several people were injured in the melee, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari, who sustained a forehead injury after being hit by a stone.
After this incident, police heightened security across the city amid fears of communal tension. On Sunday, an organisation sought permission to conduct a bike rally, but authorities denied it, citing the fragile situation after the earlier clash. Despite the denial, some members of the group attempted to go ahead with the rally, resulting in a fresh confrontation with the police.
As the rally participants clashed with security forces, stone pelting resumed, injuring several police personnel. The unrest spread to nearby areas, with reports of fires being set at multiple locations. Authorities eventually used force to disperse the mob, imposed a 36-hour curfew, and suspended internet services to restore order in the city.
"Today, an organisation in Cuttack requested permission to hold a bike rally, but it was denied. This led to a clash with the police. When the police enforced that they would not be allowed to pass through the road, as it could lead to communal tensions. Eight policemen were injured in the stone pelting. These individuals were later dispersed using force," Police Commissioner Suresh Debadutta Singh told news agency ANI.
Curfew imposed & internet suspended
After the clashes, authorities imposed a 36-hour curfew in affected areas and suspended internet services for 24 hours.
Cuttack District Magistrate Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde confirmed the measures, said: "Right now, the situation is under control. Unfortunately, some issues arose during the evening. Unfortunately, the crowd went out of control, and there were some injuries on the police side, so we have immediately stopped internet services for 24 hours in the city. The curfew will be imposed immediately. Additional forces have been requisitioned, and we already have around ten companies in place. But we will also be getting around three platoons of force from the Central Armed Forces."
He appealed for peace, emphasising the city’s communal harmony.
"We request everybody, and we appeal to everybody that Cuttack has always been the city of brotherhood, and let us continue that way. We have also been engaging with the community leaders of various communities over the last two to three days. We have been engaging with them, and we are continuing this engagement, and they have all assured us that this will not happen again," Shinde said.
He assured that within the next 24 hours the situation will be under control.
"DGP has already ensured that whoever has tried to breach this peace in this peaceful city will not be spared. The internet has been banned for 24 hours, and we think that within 24 hours, we will be able to bring that under control. If not, we are ready to ban it for the next 24 hours also," the Cuttack DM said.
Police refute death rumours
Police officials dismissed rumours circulating on social media about a death linked to a prior incident during Durga idol immersion.
"We have also learned that rumours were being spread that one of the four individuals who were injured in the stone-pelting incident during Durga idol immersion has died. Those who spread these rumours will be arrested. Of the four injured that day, all had minor injuries. Three were discharged the same day. One is being treated. A curfew will be imposed to maintain peace," Commissioner Singh clarified to news agency ANI.
Government orders social media ban
The state government suspended internet and social media services in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the 42 Mauza Region until 7 PM on Monday.
According to a government circular, a prohibition has been imposed "on the use and access of social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X, until 7 PM on Monday in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the 42 Mauza Region.”
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/Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
Fresh clashes reported
Even as security forces conducted flag marches to maintain order, rioters set fire to multiple locations in the Gouri Shankar Park area.
Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera said: "We received information that near the Gouri Shankar Park, rioters have set fire to 8-10 places. We have extinguished the fire. The rioters are pelting stones at us. Police have been deployed to control the situation."
According to reports, stone pelting continued in parts of the city as police reinforcements were deployed.
Odisha Director-General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania assured that the situation was under control.
"The police are closely monitoring the situation. Action will be taken against all anti-social elements involved in the violence. I would like to inform all residents of Cuttack not to trust any rumour. They should immediately check the police website, the Commissionerate's website, and their Twitter handle."
Opposition voices concern
Former Odisha chief minister and leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik appealed for calm and harmony, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the city.
Local leaders have condemned the incident. MLA Sofia Firdous and former MLA Md. Moquim described the situation as "very unfortunate" and urged citizens to work towards restoring peace. Both leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining Cuttack's long-standing tradition of unity and cooperation among communities.
"We must remain patient and committed to making everything normal again. The city has always been a symbol of unity, and it is crucial that we all work together to ensure this doesn't divide us," said MLA Sofia Firdous.
Echoing similar sentiments, former MLA Md. Moquim emphasised that the authorities would ensure the accused would face strict punishment. "Justice will be served, and the rule of law will prevail," he assured.
The confrontation escalated, leading to stone pelting, arson, and a police crackdown that left at least 25 people, including eight police personnel, injured. Authorities have imposed a 36-hour curfew and suspended internet services to prevent further unrest as rioters set fire to eight to ten locations on Sunday.
As the atmosphere in Cuttack remains highly tense, demonstrators occupied major streets on Sunday, culminating in a call for a Cuttack Bandh on Monday. During the rally, protesters were heard raising provocative slogans demanding an “exclusive Hindu-only identity” for the city.
Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed sorrow over the group clash and urged all citizens to maintain peace and order.
"Cuttack, with its rich thousand-year history, stands as a testament to unity and brotherhood. However, in recent days, the peace in the city was disrupted by some miscreants, affecting the daily lives of ordinary people. The govt is keeping an eye on these miscreants and will take strict action against them," the CM's statement read.
What triggered the clashes?
The violent confrontation in Cuttack stemmed from a series of incidents that began during the Durga idol immersion procession late Friday night and escalated further on Sunday.
Tension first broke out around 2 am on the intervening night of Friday-Saturday when the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee’s procession was heading to Debigada for the immersion of Goddess Durga .
Local residents reportedly objected to the loud music accompanying the procession, sparking a heated argument between the two groups. The situation quickly spiralled out of control as stones and glass bottles were hurled near Dargah Bazar Jail Road, turning the area into a conflict zone.
Police were forced to resort to a lathi-charge to disperse the mob. Several people were injured in the melee, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Rishikesh Khilari, who sustained a forehead injury after being hit by a stone.
After this incident, police heightened security across the city amid fears of communal tension. On Sunday, an organisation sought permission to conduct a bike rally, but authorities denied it, citing the fragile situation after the earlier clash. Despite the denial, some members of the group attempted to go ahead with the rally, resulting in a fresh confrontation with the police.
As the rally participants clashed with security forces, stone pelting resumed, injuring several police personnel. The unrest spread to nearby areas, with reports of fires being set at multiple locations. Authorities eventually used force to disperse the mob, imposed a 36-hour curfew, and suspended internet services to restore order in the city.
"Today, an organisation in Cuttack requested permission to hold a bike rally, but it was denied. This led to a clash with the police. When the police enforced that they would not be allowed to pass through the road, as it could lead to communal tensions. Eight policemen were injured in the stone pelting. These individuals were later dispersed using force," Police Commissioner Suresh Debadutta Singh told news agency ANI.
Curfew imposed & internet suspended
After the clashes, authorities imposed a 36-hour curfew in affected areas and suspended internet services for 24 hours.
Cuttack District Magistrate Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde confirmed the measures, said: "Right now, the situation is under control. Unfortunately, some issues arose during the evening. Unfortunately, the crowd went out of control, and there were some injuries on the police side, so we have immediately stopped internet services for 24 hours in the city. The curfew will be imposed immediately. Additional forces have been requisitioned, and we already have around ten companies in place. But we will also be getting around three platoons of force from the Central Armed Forces."
He appealed for peace, emphasising the city’s communal harmony.
"We request everybody, and we appeal to everybody that Cuttack has always been the city of brotherhood, and let us continue that way. We have also been engaging with the community leaders of various communities over the last two to three days. We have been engaging with them, and we are continuing this engagement, and they have all assured us that this will not happen again," Shinde said.
He assured that within the next 24 hours the situation will be under control.
"DGP has already ensured that whoever has tried to breach this peace in this peaceful city will not be spared. The internet has been banned for 24 hours, and we think that within 24 hours, we will be able to bring that under control. If not, we are ready to ban it for the next 24 hours also," the Cuttack DM said.
Police refute death rumours
Police officials dismissed rumours circulating on social media about a death linked to a prior incident during Durga idol immersion.
"We have also learned that rumours were being spread that one of the four individuals who were injured in the stone-pelting incident during Durga idol immersion has died. Those who spread these rumours will be arrested. Of the four injured that day, all had minor injuries. Three were discharged the same day. One is being treated. A curfew will be imposed to maintain peace," Commissioner Singh clarified to news agency ANI.
Government orders social media ban
The state government suspended internet and social media services in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the 42 Mauza Region until 7 PM on Monday.
According to a government circular, a prohibition has been imposed "on the use and access of social media platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, and X, until 7 PM on Monday in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the 42 Mauza Region.”
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/Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
Fresh clashes reported
Even as security forces conducted flag marches to maintain order, rioters set fire to multiple locations in the Gouri Shankar Park area.
Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera said: "We received information that near the Gouri Shankar Park, rioters have set fire to 8-10 places. We have extinguished the fire. The rioters are pelting stones at us. Police have been deployed to control the situation."
According to reports, stone pelting continued in parts of the city as police reinforcements were deployed.
Odisha Director-General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania assured that the situation was under control.
"The police are closely monitoring the situation. Action will be taken against all anti-social elements involved in the violence. I would like to inform all residents of Cuttack not to trust any rumour. They should immediately check the police website, the Commissionerate's website, and their Twitter handle."
Opposition voices concern
Former Odisha chief minister and leader of opposition Naveen Patnaik appealed for calm and harmony, expressing deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the city.
Local leaders have condemned the incident. MLA Sofia Firdous and former MLA Md. Moquim described the situation as "very unfortunate" and urged citizens to work towards restoring peace. Both leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining Cuttack's long-standing tradition of unity and cooperation among communities.
"We must remain patient and committed to making everything normal again. The city has always been a symbol of unity, and it is crucial that we all work together to ensure this doesn't divide us," said MLA Sofia Firdous.
Echoing similar sentiments, former MLA Md. Moquim emphasised that the authorities would ensure the accused would face strict punishment. "Justice will be served, and the rule of law will prevail," he assured.
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