Cuttack: At least six people, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, were injured after a violent clash broke out between two groups during the immersion procession of Goddess Durga in Cuttack city of Odisha.
Tension prevailed in the area following the violence that took place at Haathi Pokhari near Dargah Bazaar in the city in the wee hours of Saturday.
Sources said the clash erupted around 2 am when the procession of Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee was on its way to Debigada for idol immersion. A heated argument broke out after local residents reportedly objected to the music being played during the procession.
Verbal altercation soon escalated into violence and members of both groups allegedly hurled stones and glass bottles at each other near Dargha Bazar Jail Road. The entire area virtually turned into a battlefield for around three hours. Several vehicles were damaged in the area as both groups indulged in stone throwing.
In order to bring the situation under control and restore normalcy, police resorted to lathi charge and mild force. Despite a temporary calm, fresh clashes erupted again after the Rausapatna idol reached the region, further escalating tension.
Members of the procession reportedly staged a sit-in on the road, halting the immersion midway. As many as 50 idols remained stranded amid tense situation.
Additional police forces were deployed in the area to restore order and ensure the smooth completion of the immersion process.
Police said the situation was later brought under control and the immersion procession resumed peacefully under tight security on Saturday morning.
