Cuttack: A total of three cases have been registered in connection with clashes in Odisha’s Cuttack city, Twin City Commissioner of Police S Dev Datta Singh informed on Monday.
“The arrests have already begun, but the exact number cannot be disclosed at this stage,” he said as the city remained under curfew and heavy police deployment.
According to Additional director general (law and order) Sanjay Kumar, no criminal or anti-social activity will be tolerated. “Cuttack is a city of brotherhood. There is normalcy now. Those responsible for yesterday’s violence have been identified. CCTV cameras and other electronic evidence are being examined and all those involved will be booked. The message is very clear, the troublemakers will not be spared,” he said.
Kumar assured that the arrests will be made soon. “Strong measures had been taken to restore peace and normalcy in the city. Around 50 to 60 platoons of police force and six companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed,” he said.
The ADG clarified that curfew has been imposed to stop unlawful gatherings. “All emergency services including hospitals and government offices are open. I urge people not to believe rumours,” he said.
Police have been conducting patrol marches in the sensitive areas of the city to maintain law and order. A Riot-control vehicle of the Rapid Action Force has also been deployed.
Cuttack has remained tense since Friday following clashes that allegedly stemmed from disagreements over loud music during Durga Puja idol immersion procession. Fresh violence erupted on Sunday during a motorcycle rally organised by the VHP, defying administrative orders. Protesters turned violent when stopped from entering sensitive areas and pelted police with stones. A total of 25 policemen were injured, eight among them seriously.
Police then resorted to a lathi-charge and fired rubber bullets to disperse the protestors.
Rioters also set fire at 8–10 locations near Gourishankar Park, damaged shops and CCTV cameras.
Initially, the state government suspended internet and messaging services – including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Snapchat – for 24 hours from 7 pm on Sunday across Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority, and 42 Mouza regions to curb the spread of misinformation.
The Commissionerate Police also rubbished rumours about the alleged death of a person following the clash between groups in the city late on Friday. “In the course of the clash, four individuals sustained injuries. Of these, three (Pintu Mahar, Mukesh Mahar and Subhashree Jena) have been discharged following treatment on October 2. The fourth person (Sankar Biswal) remains under medical care and is currently stable, talking and not in any danger. No fatalities have occurred in connection with this incident,” the post on X clarified.
Director General of Police Yogesh Bahadur Khurania has appealed to the people to avoid rumours and check the websites of the police and the Commissionerate and the Twitter handles to understand any facts related to the incident.
Later, a 36-hour curfew from Sunday night across 13 police station limits in Cuttack to address the escalating tensions.
Commissioner of Police S Devdutt Singh also issued a stern warning, stating that no leniency will be shown toward troublemakers. “We will not tolerate any further violence or unlawful gatherings. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in breaching the peace,” he stressed.