Tensions have reached a breaking point in Cuttack, Odisha, as violent fights between communities broke out during a Durga Puja idol immersion parade. To restore order and stop things from getting worse, the state administration has put in place harsh rules, such as a huge curfew and a widespread internet shutdown.
Digital Blackout and Curfew Set
The Odisha government acted quickly by putting a 36-hour curfew in place that started at 10 p.m. on Sunday night. The restrictions span 13 police station limits in Cuttack, including Dargah Bazaar, Mangalabag, Purighat, Lal Bagh, and Jagatpur, which are all important neighborhoods.
At the same time, the government shut down the internet. From 7 pm on Sunday to 7 pm on Monday, the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority, and 42 Mauza areas all had their internet and messaging services, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X (previously Twitter), Instagram, and Snapchat, shut down. Officials said the ban was necessary because of the spread of “inflammatory and provocative messages” that caused the turmoil. Odisha has done this before, using similar methods to stop violence in Sambalpur (2023) and Balasore (2024).
Following the rise in violence
The First Spark
Late Friday night, there were reports of violence near Haathi Pokhari. The first fight happened when some people in the area didn’t like the loud music that was being played during the Durga Puja idol immersion parade. This immediately turned into a huge fight, with people throwing stones and bottles from roofs. The violence hurt a number of people, including DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, a high-ranking police officer.
Vandalism and flare-ups on Sunday
On Sunday, things became worse as new fights broke out at an unlicensed motorcycle demonstration organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The huge gathering, which went against orders from the government, saw more than 10,000 VHP members march down Bajrakbati Road, purportedly shouting slogans that called for the elimination of a minority group. This made tensions between communities much worse.
When security tried to break up the event, the demonstrators got aggressive, throwing more stones, starting more fires, and damaging property. The police had to use tear gas and rubber bullets to break up the crowd. There were fights over the weekend that hurt 25 people, including eight police officers. People who rioted on Sunday night reportedly set fire to 8 to 10 places near Gourishankar Park, damaging stores and CCTV cameras.
Response from the government and administration
Law and order and safety
Ten companies of security forces have been sent to Cuttack to help with the mayhem, and more help has been asked. Police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) marched with flags in places like Dargah Bazaar and Mangalabag that were known to be dangerous.
The police have detained six people so far and are currently going through CCTV and drone footage to find and arrest more people who were part in the riots. Keeping an eye on false information on social media is still a top issue.
VHP Bandh and Calls for Peace
The VHP has called for a 12-hour Cuttack bandh on Monday to protest the violence and call for harsh action against authorities they say were careless. This bandh happens at the same time as the government’s curfew, which is why there is so much security to stop any more violence.
Top politicians, including as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, previous Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and local MLAs, have strongly urged people to keep the peace across communities. CM Majhi made a stern statement, saying that strict action would be taken against the people who did it and that “communal harmony is non-negotiable.”