Violence in Cuttack, Odisha
Credit: PTI Photo
Cuttack/Bhubaneswar: Prohibitory orders were imposed in 13 police station areas in Cuttack by the government of Odisha after violence erupted in the region following a group clash that took place during a Durga idol procession, which resulted in 25 people being injured.
Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said the orders will be effective for 36 hours from 10 pm on Sunday.
The prohibitory orders will be imposed in the police station areas of Dargah Bazaar, Mangalabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lalbag, Bidanasi, Markat Nagar, CDA Phase-2, Malgodam, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalis Mouza and Sadar, he said.
Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) had given a call for a 12-hour bandh in the city on October 6 in protest against the group clash during the procession.
In view of the prevailing law and order situation, the state government had suspended internet services in areas under Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority (CDA), and the adjoining 42 Mauza region from 7 pm on Sunday to 7 pm on Monday to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Cuttack remained tense on Sunday following fresh incidents of violence linked to the group clash that occurred during the idol immersion procession, even as Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik urged citizens to maintain communal harmony.
On Sunday, a motorcycle rally by VHP activists in support of the bandh was stopped by the police when they reached the trouble-torn area, leading to a fresh bout of violence.
Twenty-five people, including eight policemen, were injured. Several shops in the Gourishankar Park area were allegedly set on fire.
The bandh, which began at 6 am, evoked a mixed response.
Government offices and educational institutions were functioning with thin attendance. Markets and petrol pumps remained open, and public transport was available on the road, but less than usual due to the slew of restrictions.
ACP Narasingha Bhol claimed the situation has been normal since the morning.
He said 1,800 personnel of the state police have been deployed along with around 800 personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Odisha Swift Action Force in the city.
Police patrols are continuing in sensitive areas, he said, adding that restrictions have also been imposed on entry into the city.
"People from outside are not allowed entry into Cuttack city, except those working here and patients travelling to the SCB Medical College and Hospital. Passenger buses are being stopped at the entry points. All the entry points of the city have been blocked to keep a check on the movement of anti-social elements from outside," he said.
ADG (Law and Order) Sanjay Kumar said that there was no report of any untoward incident, with all agencies put on high alert.
He said senior officers are monitoring the situation on the field, and directions have been issued for taking prompt action against anyone found taking the law into their hands.
(With inputs from agencies)