Cuttack: The Commissionerate Police on Sunday conducted a flag march as a confidence building measure in Odisha’s Cuttack city, which witnessed a violent clash during idol immersion ceremony of Maa Durga late on Friday.
“Situation is back to normal. The flag march is being conducted to instil confidence among the residents about the law and order situation in the city,” said DCP (headquarters) Prakash Chandra Pal.
He further stated that the incident is being properly investigated. “I urge people not to believe in rumours and immediately contact the IIC or ACP of the area in case of any issue. Separate arrangements will be made for the bandh called for tomorrow,” he added.
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 a century.
The Clash
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..
The Cuttack DCP, who was at the site to monitor the law and order, sustained injuries on his face while trying to pacify the crowd. Police later resorted to mild lathi-charge to disperse the mob. The procession was also halted briefly after members of the Puja committee staged a dharna demanding immediate arrest of the miscreants.
The clash caused panic, damage to vehicles, and disruption to the immersion schedule leaving over 40 idols stranded for nearly three hours. The immersion finally concluded at 9.30 am Saturday amid heavy police deployment with forces also on the rooftops of buildings on both sides of the route. Additional police forces were also deployed in the sensitive areas of Cuttack to prevent any escalation.
“…It happens sometimes. But there is no issue in general…The police and the Puja Committee have resolved this very well…I appeal not to extend this and try to do this in a better manner next year by learning some lessons from this…,” District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde told ANI.
While six persons have so far been arrested, efforts are on to identify more suspects based on CCTV footage, eyewitness and drone visuals, police said, adding that none involved in disrupting peace will be spared.
