Curfew, Internet Suspension In Cuttack As VHP Rally Sparks Tensions After Clashes During Durga Puja Immersion
Cuttack is on edge after clashes during a Durga Puja immersion procession injured many, including the DCP. The VHP called a 12-hour bandh, blaming the administration.
Tension gripped Cuttack on Sunday following renewed incidents of violence linked to a group clash that erupted two days earlier during a Durga idol immersion procession. The situation prompted Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) president Naveen Patnaik to appeal for calm and communal harmony.
The initial violence had broken out between 1.30 am and 2 am on Saturday near Haathi Pokhari in Daraghabazar when a procession heading towards Debigara on the Kathajodi riverbank was stopped after locals objected to loud music, news agency PTI reported. The confrontation escalated when stones and glass bottles were reportedly hurled from rooftops, injuring several revellers, including Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo.
#WATCH | Odisha | Visuals from Cuttack where tensions erupted following a clash between two groups. This comes following the incident of stone pelting and clash between them during Durga Puja immersion late last night. Police are present at the spot.
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
The Odisha government has… https://t.co/XRRDiRw1Zk pic.twitter.com/Ks8cxbAULJ
Police said six people have been arrested in connection with the violence so far.
The unrest deepened after the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) went ahead with a motorcycle rally in the evening, allegedly defying restrictions imposed by the district administration.
Internet Services, Social Media Access Suspended in Cuttack
Citing the volatile situation, the state government suspended internet services across areas under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, the Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and adjoining 42 Mauza region from 7 pm on Sunday to 7 pm on Monday to curb misinformation and maintain order.
Officials reported that CCTV cameras along the route were vandalised, while several shops in the Gourishankar Park locality were allegedly set ablaze after police halted the procession. The rally reportedly began at Bidyadharpur, passed through Dargah Bazar—the epicentre of Friday night’s violence—and concluded at Sector 11 in CDA.
Participants in the rally were heard chanting religious slogans as they moved through the city, police said.
CM Majhi, Naveen Patnaik Appeal for Calm
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), expressed sorrow over the disturbances and urged citizens to uphold Cuttack’s legacy of unity. He added that the government was monitoring the situation closely and assured strict action against those responsible.
"Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed deep sorrow over the incident of conflict seen in Cuttack and has appealed to everyone to maintain peace and order. The Chief Minister said that Cuttack city is a thousand-year-old city. Cuttack city is a unique example of brotherhood. However, for the last few days, due to some troublemakers, peace has been disturbed in the city and the life of the common people is being disrupted. The Chief Minister said that the government is keeping an eye on such troublemakers and strict action will be taken against them as per the law," the CMO stated.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urged restraint to avoid further escalation. He wrote on X, "The tragic incident that occurred during the Durga Puja immersion in Cuttack is a matter of extreme sorrow. For the city of Cuttack, known for its thousand-year-old tradition of brotherhood, such an event is not auspicious for the state. The state government has promised to take this sensitive incident seriously and to take strict action against the culprits. At this time, it is essential for all of us to collectively maintain restraint and preserve social harmony. It is our responsibility to keep Cuttack's glorious tradition intact."
Meanwhile, the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) attributed the incident to “anti-social elements” attempting to disturb communal harmony. Former Odisha CM and LoP Naveen Patnaik appeals to maintain peace and harmony in the city. He also expressed deep concern over the law and order situation in the city, the BJD stated.
Congress MLA from Barabati-Cuttack, Sofia Firdus, said she was “saddened and worried” over the incidents.
“Our city is a living example of unity and tradition – where Durga Puja has been celebrated for over 500 years. Those who tried to disrupt this unity, identified through CCTV, drone and mobile footage, should be punished as per the law,” Firdus said.
#WATCH | Bhubaneswar, Odisha | BJD MP Sulata Deo says, "...Cuttack is a city of brotherhood where Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians all live together in harmony, and there's never a problem during festivals. What happened in Cuttack is extremely unfortunate...This government… pic.twitter.com/4bxgSxY4i5
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
"This government can neither tackle the law and order situation nor can it handle the atrocities against women...Since the BJP government has come to power, the crime rate has increased," she remarked.
Security Forces Conduct Flag March In Cuttack
According to ANI, security forces conducted a flag march in the affected areas after tensions escalated between the police and the organisation that was denied permission to hold a bike rally.
#WATCH | Cuttack, Odisha | Security forces conduct a flag march after tensions flared following a clash between police and an organisation that was denied permission to hold a bike rally.
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
Police Commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Dr Suresh Debadutta Singh says that eight… pic.twitter.com/yobb7af0Rc
Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner Suresh Debadutta Singh told ANI, “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.”
He also dismissed rumours that one of the individuals injured during the Durga idol immersion had died.
#WATCH | Cuttack, Odisha | Police Commissioner of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Dr Suresh Debadutta Singh says, "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… pic.twitter.com/eZMlGBh5ST
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
“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,” he added.
Odisha Director-General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania said that the situation was under control, but the police were on alert.
#WATCH | Cuttack, Odisha | Director-General of Police (DGP) of Odisha, Yogesh Bahadur Khurania says, "The situation in Cuttack is currently under control. The police are closely monitoring the situation. Action will be taken against all anti-social elements involved in the… pic.twitter.com/OjbiyFysxl
— ANI (@ANI) October 5, 2025
“The situation in Cuttack is currently 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. Understand the facts presented there,” Khurania said.
Meanwhile, the VHP has called for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on October 6 in protest against the clash during the idol immersion procession.
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