Odisha – The Odisha government extended internet suspension and maintained curfew in Cuttack on Monday following Cuttack violence during Durga idol immersion that left 31 people injured. Authorities implemented stringent measures to prevent further escalation after two separate violent incidents occurred in the Dargha Bazar area between Friday and Sunday, prompting concerns about social media-fueled misinformation exacerbating community tensions.
Extended Internet Suspension Following Cuttack Violence
Odisha authorities extended internet services suspension in Cuttack until 7 pm on October 7, marking the second 24-hour extension since the violence in Cuttack erupted. The initial suspension began at 7 pm Sunday and was extended for another 24 hours ending Tuesday evening. The Home Department justified the suspension as necessary to prevent anti-social elements from transmitting objectionable content and spreading rumors that could trigger additional violence in Cuttack.
The suspension order exempts government internet and intranet-based services including OSWAN (Odisha State Wide Area Network), banking services, railways, and other essential government operations. Authorities warned that anyone violating the internet suspension order would face legal consequences under relevant provisions of law.
Curfew Continues Amid Cuttack Violence Concerns
Alongside internet suspension, curfew remains enforced in Cuttack under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Section 163 until October 7. The 36-hour curfew was imposed to contain the violence in Cuttack and prevent further clashes between communities. The Cuttack administration expressed serious concerns about social media platforms being misused to spread misinformation that could inflame tensions and lead to renewed Cuttack violence.
Tight security measures accompany the curfew, with 1,800 state police personnel deployed alongside approximately 800 Central Armed Police Forces and Odisha Swift Action Force personnel. Police patrols continue in sensitive areas with restrictions imposed throughout the city to maintain order following the Cuttack violence incidents.
Casualties and Injuries from Cuttack Violence
The violence in Cuttack resulted in at least 31 people sustaining injuries, including 10 police personnel who were targeted during the clashes. The violence occurred in two separate incidents in Cuttack’s Dargha Bazar area during the Durga idol immersion period, a traditionally sensitive time when large crowds gather for religious processions and ceremonies.
Commissioner of Police S Dev Datta Singh attributed Sunday’s Cuttack violence to rumors spread on social media regarding the health condition of one person injured in earlier clashes. Despite the injured individual receiving treatment and recovering well, false social media messages claiming otherwise were allegedly intended to spread hatred among communities and trigger additional Cuttack violence.
Eight Arrests Made in Cuttack Violence Cases
Odisha Police arrested eight individuals on Monday in connection with the Cuttack violence. Commissioner Singh confirmed that three cases were registered related to Sunday’s attack on police by VHP activists. Police identified additional suspects through CCTV footage analysis and continued conducting raids across different parts of the city to apprehend “mischief mongers” involved in the Cuttack violence.
The arrests represent authorities’ efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for the Cuttack violence while deterring potential future incidents. Law enforcement continues investigating the circumstances surrounding both violent incidents to identify all individuals responsible for instigating or participating in the clashes.
Political Accusations Surrounding Cuttack Violence
Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das accused the Vishva Hindu Parishad of organizing an unauthorized bike rally without police permission that contributed to the Cuttack violence. Das alleged that VHP members pelted stones at police when stopped, questioning why “RSS and VHP goons” attacked police officers and innocent people. He expressed concern about maintaining Odisha’s peaceful character amid the Cuttack violence.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi criticized the BJP over the violence in Cuttack, accusing the party of dividing Odisha’s people for political gains. She contrasted the current situation with the state’s peaceful period under BJD governance, suggesting BJP politics contributed to the Cuttack violence and communal tensions.
Local MP’s Prior Warning About Cuttack Violence
Senior BJP leader and local MP Bhartruhari Mahtab revealed he had previously cautioned the administration about potential violence in Cuttack. Mahtab claimed he flagged concerns about releasing certain individuals from jail with records of “disturbance-creating habits,” suggesting these releases may have contributed to the subsequent violence in Cuttack during the Durga immersion period.
Local Leaders Urge Peace After Cuttack Violence
Cuttack Mayor Subhash Chandra Singh assured residents that law-and-order situations were under control despite the violence in Cuttack, urging public cooperation with administrative measures. Cuttack Mahanagar Durga Puja Samiti president and former MLA Pravat Tripathy expressed concern and urged all puja committees to work toward restoring normalcy following the Cuttack violence.
Entry Restrictions Imposed Following Cuttack Violence
Authorities implemented strict entry restrictions to prevent outsiders from entering Cuttack and potentially exacerbating the violence in Cuttack. Police stop passenger buses at entry points, allowing only individuals working in Cuttack or patients traveling to SCB Medical College and Hospital to enter the city. These measures aim to maintain control over population movements and prevent outside agitators from contributing to renewed violence in Cuttack.
Conclusion: Restoring Peace After Cuttack Violence
As authorities work to restore normalcy following the violence in Cuttack, extended internet suspension and continued curfew reflect serious concerns about community tensions. The combination of enhanced security deployment, strategic arrests, and communication restrictions demonstrates comprehensive efforts to prevent further violence in Cuttack while investigating root causes and holding perpetrators accountable for disrupting the city’s traditional peace.
