Cuttack’s Durga Puja celebrations turned violent on Sunday when clashes broke out during the idol immersion ceremony. Rioters fired stones and set fire to eight or ten nearby locations, igniting flames that police quickly had to extinguish. Assistant Fire Officer Sanjeeb Kumar Behera said the trouble spread across the Gouri Shankar Park and that the police were already on the scene to control the unrest.
In response, the Odisha government shut down all internet services for 24 hours and banned social‑media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook and X in the Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Development Authority, and 42 surrounding mauzas. The ban, issued under the 1885 Telegraph Act and 2017 Telecom Rules, went into effect until 7 p.m. on Monday.
Former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged calm, calling the situation “deeply concerning” and asking residents to keep the city peaceful. Police Chief Narsingh Bholo told reporters that officers stood on rooftops overlooking the immersion route to prevent further clashes and that he was confident the crowd could move to the Debigada area safely.
Authorities remain on high alert, ready to protect citizens as the city continues its busy festival season.
Source: aninews
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