Odisha Extends Internet Shutdown in Cuttack Amid Communal Violence; Police Step Up Security

The Odisha government has extended the internet shutdown in Cuttack until the evening of October 7, following communal unrest over the weekend. At least 31 people, including 10 policemen, were injured in the clashes.

Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, accompanied by Additional Police Commissioner Narasingha Bhola and Cuttack District Magistrate Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde, reviewed the situation. Kumar emphasized accountability, telling ANI, “All people who have tried to take the law into their own hands will be booked. Society in general wants to be peaceful; everybody wants to celebrate a festival or any event together.”

Bhubaneswar-Cuttack Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said a curfew was imposed in the city till 10 am on Wednesday after stone-pelting incidents, ensuring law and order was maintained. He confirmed that eight people have been arrested, with further identifications underway. Singh added that emergency services continue to operate normally, and police patrolling and static deployment are in place at sensitive locations.

Background of the Unrest

The violence erupted during Durga idol immersion processions in Cuttack’s Daragha Bazar area between Friday and Sunday.

• The first clash, between Friday night and Saturday morning, left six people injured after locals objected to loud music during the immersion procession, escalating into stone and glass bottle throwing. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called a 12-hour bandh on Monday, alleging police inaction.

• The second disturbance occurred Sunday evening when police stopped a VHP bike rally from entering a sensitive area, resulting in at least 25 injuries, including eight policemen. Senior officers, including Amarenda Panda and DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, were among the injured, with Panda admitted to the ICU at SCB Medical College and Hospital.

The state government imposed a 36-hour prohibitory order in 13 of the city’s 20 police station areas and suspended internet services till Tuesday evening.

Bandh and Security Measures

The VHP called a dawn-to-dusk bandh on Monday, which passed off peacefully under heavy security. Markets and petrol pumps remained open, and public transport operated with restrictions. Singh confirmed that over 50 platoons of state police and eight companies of central armed forces, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), were deployed across the city.

Authorities also restricted entry for outsiders, except for workers and patients traveling to SCB Medical College. Passenger buses are being checked at city entry points. Police will review the situation before deciding whether to extend the curfew further.

Singh stressed, “If required, the order may be extended to ensure peace and security in the city.”