NEW DELHI: Cuttack remained tense on Sunday following new incidents of violence linked to a group clash during a Durga idol immersion procession two days ago.Due to the tense law and order situation, the state government suspended internet services from 7 pm on Sunday to 7 pm on Monday in areas under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the nearby 42 Mauza region to curb the spread of misinformation. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had organised a motorcycle rally on Sunday evening despite orders from the district administration. Officials said CCTV cameras along the route were damaged and shops in the Gourishankar Park area were set on fire after police tried to stop the procession. The rally began at Bidyadharpur on the city’s eastern outskirts and moved through key areas, including the Dargah Bazar locality where the previous violence occurred, before ending at Sector 11 of CDA. Participants were heard chanting “Jai Shri Ram” as they moved through the city. Odisha’s CM Mohan Charan Majhi, in a statement issued by the chief minister’s office, expressed sorrow over the disturbances. “Cuttack is a thousand-year-old city known for its brotherhood. Due to the actions of some miscreants, the peace of the city has been disturbed in recent days,” he said. He added that the government was monitoring troublemakers closely and strict action would be taken against them as per the law. BJD chief Naveen Patnaik also expressed concern over the situation, saying Odisha has a reputation as a peace-loving state. Meanwhile, the VHP has announced a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday to protest the clash during the Durga immersion procession. The original clashes broke out around 1.30 am to 2 am on Saturday near Haathi Pokhari in Dargah Bazar as the immersion procession moved towards Debigara on the Kathajodi river banks. Officials said the violence started after locals objected to high-decibel music. The confrontation escalated when a mob began pelting stones and glass bottles from rooftops, injuring several revellers, including Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. Police said six people were arrested.
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