Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident late on the night of October 4, stone pelting by Islamists occurred during a Durga visarjan procession in the Dargah Bazaar area of Cuttack city. Among the injured was Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rishikesh Khilari, along with 15 others, including devotees participating in the visarjan procession.
According to police, the immersion processions had been underway since Friday evening. Around 1:30 am, the visarjan procession of the Jhanjirimangala Bhagavat Puja Committee was passing near Hathi Pokhari when stones were suddenly hurled at the devotees by a group of individuals. In addition to stones, glass bottles were also thrown. The attack disrupted another immersion procession of the Rausapatna Durga Kali Medha Committee that was passing nearby.
As the situation escalated, police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob. In the clash, DCP Rishikesh Khilari sustained an eye injury, and several other police personnel on duty were also hurt.
Following the incident, devotees and local residents staged a protest against the administration, alleging that, despite heavy police deployment, the violence could not be prevented.
Police managed to bring the situation under control late at night and temporarily halted the immersion activities as a precaution. On Saturday morning, the immersion process resumed under heavy security with additional police forces deployed.
DCP Khilari stated, “The situation is now under control. Additional police personnel have been deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any further untoward incident.”
An eyewitness claimed that the stone pelting was triggered by the music being played during the visarjan procession . He alleged that the attack appeared pre-planned, as stones and glass bottles had already been stockpiled at the site before the assault began.
“This matter should be seriously investigated. Not only those who carried out the attack but also the masterminds behind it must be sent to jail,” he demanded.
Six Arrested, Probe Underway – Police Commissioner
Meanwhile, the Commissionerate Police acted swiftly, arresting six people in connection with the incident.
Cuttack–Bhubaneswar Police Commissioner Suresh Devdutt Singh informed that the clash erupted over the DJ music during the immersion procession, leading to the stone pelting. “We acted immediately. Six individuals involved have been arrested, and investigations are underway to identify others,” Singh said.
He added that the incident occurred between 1:30 am and 2:00 am. With drones and CCTV cameras installed in large numbers across the locality, police were able to quickly identify and apprehend the culprits.
The Police Commissioner also clarified that the stone pelting was carried out by one side only, while the victims did not retaliate.
He assured that strict security arrangements would be in place during the remaining Durga visarjan processions to ensure peace and law and order in the city. “The situation is now normal. Like last year, all idols are being immersed on schedule. Although heavy rain briefly disrupted the procession last night, all activities are now being completed peacefully,” he added.
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