Cuttack: The millennium city of Cuttack was placed under 36 hour curfew violence during Durga idol immersion ceremony on Friday. The situation was further compounded when Vishwa Hindu Parishad organised a motorcycle rally in some sensitive areas of the city on Sunday leading to more violence ahead of its Cuttack Bandh that it enforced today.
The violence has left at least 25 persons including 10 policemen, among them DCP, Cuttack Rishikesh Dyandeo Khilari injured. Internet services in Cuttack and its adjoining areas have also been suspended.
This is the first major communal clash in the city in last several years. The trouble erupted when Durga Puja idol belonging to a particular locality was being taken out for immersion and the procession was passing through Hatipokhari in Dargah Bazar. Some people objected to loud DJ music and the kind of songs being played.
This led to heated arguments with.both sides indulging in stone pelting and hurling glass bottles at each other. The situation soon went out of control and at least six persons including DCP Khilari were injured.
In the immediate wake of the incident VHP announced its Cuttack Bandh programme and then organised a motorcycle rally in Dargah Bazar area and clashed with police. Some shops were also damaged.
The administration was forced to impose curfew and suspended internet services. Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi has appealed for peace and leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik has also urged people to stay calm.
Cuttack residents are aghast as the city has not seen this kins of communal violence before. The last time there was trouble Durga Puja in 1992 but that memory has faded.
The incident is likely to have a fallout for the government with Opposition Biju Janata Dal targeting the chief minister and Bjp hitting back. Police remain determined to restore peace and image of Cuttack.
