In response to recent disturbances and violent incidents, the Commissionerate Police on Sunday announced a 36-hour curfew across 13 police station limits in Cuttack city. The stringent measure, which came into effect at 10 pm on October 5 night, aims to curb further unrest and ensure peace and order in the millennium city.
Curfew in 13 key areas
The curfew will remain enforced in the following areas: Dargah Bazaar, Manglabag, Cantonment, Purighat, Lalbag, Bidanasi, Markatnagar, CDA Phase-II, Malgodown, Badambadi, Jagatpur, Bayalish Mouza, and Sadar. These areas have been identified as sensitive following the recent flare-up of tensions.
Commissioner of Police S. Dev Datta Singh said the decision was taken after a detailed review of the situation with senior officials. “No miscreant or troublemaker will be spared. Strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to disturb peace or violate the curfew,” Singh asserted. He further added that additional police forces have been deployed in sensitive zones, and round-the-clock patrolling has begun to maintain law and order. Citizens have been urged to stay indoors during the curfew hours, cooperate with the administration, and refrain from circulating or believing unverified information on social media.
DGP review situation, calls for responsible conduct
Odisha Director General of Police (DGP) Y.B. Khurania visited Cuttack on October 5 to personally assess the ground situation. Following his review with senior officials, the DGP appealed for public cooperation to restore calm.
“Cuttack is a city of brotherhood. The residents here have always celebrated all festivals together with cooperation. I appeal to all residents to maintain peace and harmony,” Khurania said.
Issuing a stern warning to troublemakers, the DGP said, “Unsocial elements who have taken the law into their own hands or are even thinking of doing so should know that all the powers vested in the police will be exercised to maintain law and order. We will not allow the situation to deteriorate any further. He also urged the public not to rely on rumours circulating on social media platforms and instead follow only verified updates from the official police website.
Internet services temporarily suspended
In a parallel move to prevent the spread of misinformation, the Odisha Government ordered the temporary suspension of internet and social media services in parts of Cuttack
In its official notification, the Home Department stated that the decision was made to curb the spread of false, provocative, and inflammatory content on platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, X, Instagram, and Snapchat. Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu noted that such unverified content had the potential to disturb public order and fuel unrest.
The suspension of internet services is intended as a preventive measure to ensure that rumours and misinformation do not inflame tensions further during this sensitive period.
Chief Minister’s appeal for peace
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also expressed deep concern over the developments in Cuttack. Extending his heartfelt appeal to citizens, Majhi urged everyone to uphold the city’s centuries-old legacy of peace and communal harmony.
“Cuttack is a thousand-year-old city and a unique symbol of brotherhood. Unfortunately, in recent days, peace has been disrupted by the actions of a few miscreants, causing inconvenience to ordinary citizens,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.
He assured that the government is keeping a close watch on the situation and that strict action will be taken against all those responsible for disrupting law and order. “The government will not tolerate any attempt to disturb the harmony of this historic city,” he stressed. Majhi further appealed to the public to move forward together with peace and unity, preserving the city’s rich heritage and glory.
The Trigger: Stone pelting during visarjan
The curfew and other restrictions follow a shocking incident that occurred late Friday night during a Durga visarjan procession in the Dargah Bazaar area of Cuttack. Tensions escalated after stone pelting was reported during the procession, leaving at least 16 people injured.
Among those injured was Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rishikesh Khilari, along with 15 others, including devotees participating in the immersion. The incident sent shockwaves across the city and heightened concerns of communal unrest.
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