Bhubaneswar: In the wake of a violent clash during Durga Idol immersion in Cuttack, the Odisha government on Sunday ordered a temporary suspension of internet and social media services in parts of the city as a preventive measure.
In a notification issued by the Home Department, Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu said the decision was taken to prevent the spread of false, provocative, and inflammatory messages on platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Snapchat, which could disturb public peace and order.
As per the order, the shutdown includes social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and other social media services, which will be inaccessible through all mobile service providers.
As per the notification, restrictions will remain in effect from 7 pm on October 5 to 7 pm on October 6, under the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency/Public Safety) Rules, 2017.
The temporary internet shutdown applies to all mobile and broadband data services across the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) area, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) area, and the 42 Mauza region, it said.
The order was issued after the district administration of Cuttack sent a communication to the government, raising concerns over the misuse of the internet for spreading communal messages amid heightened tension in the city.
As the government said it aims at restoring peace and ensuring law and order, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed to people to maintain peace and order in the city. He further stated that strict action will be taken against troublemakers.
Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police conducted a flag march on Sunday as a confidence building measure in Cuttack city, which witnessed a violent clash during idol immersion ceremony of Goddess Durga late on Friday.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has given a 12-hour bandh call on Monday, demanding immediate transfer of Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde and DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. The organisation has blamed district and police administration for the incident in the city known for ‘Bhaichara’ (brotherhood) with Muslims preparing ‘zari medhas’ for Goddess Durga for over a century.
It may be noted that at least six persons, including the DCP, were injured in the clash which erupted at Haathi Pokhari near Dargha Bazar area between 1.30 am and 2 am after locals allegedly objected to certain songs being played during the immersion procession when the idol from Jhanjirmangala Bhagabat Sahi Puja Committee was en route to Devigada for immersion. The argument quickly escalated with stone and glass bottles being pelted from rooftops.
