BHUBANESWAR: Curfew was imposed and internet suspended in Cuttack city amid fresh violence on Sunday, a day after eight people, including Cuttack DCP Rishikesh Khilari, were injured in a group clash during Durga idol immersion at Dargha Bazaar.
The development comes even as chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed for calm while promising stringent action against those responsible for disrupting peace in Cuttack.
"Curfew will remain in force for 36 hours under 13 police areas from Sunday night. There is a ban on internet and social media services for 36 hours, starting 7 pm on Sunday," police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said.
Police said such stringent measures were taken after 25 people, including 8 police personnel were seriously injured in a stone-pelting incident during a bike rally on Sunday evening. "An organisation took out the bike rally despite being denied permission. When police tried to stop them, they pelted stones at us," Singh said, adding that a massive police deployment has been made to prevent any untoward incident. He also warned of action against miscreants for spreading hate and fake contents on social media.
Earlier, Majhi expressed sorrow over the group clash and urged all citizens to maintain peace and order. "Cuttack, with its rich thousand-year history, stands as a testament to unity and brotherhood. However, in recent days, the peace in the city was disrupted by some miscreants, affecting the daily lives of ordinary people. The govt is keeping an eye on these miscreants and will take strict action against them," the CM's statement read.
Majhi, who directed DGP Y B Khurania to head to Cuttack and camp there to prevent escalation of the situation, called on citizens to remain united and preserve the city's heritage.
His appeal is particularly significant as tensions remain high following the violence, with the VHP calling for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday.
On Sunday, the commissionerate police conducted flag marches throughout the city to reassure citizens of their safety. A high-level meeting was also convened by DGP Khurania, police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, and additional director general (law and order) Sanjay Kumar to work out a strategy on restoring peace in Cuttack.
On Saturday, police had arrested six men in connection with the violence.
The development comes even as chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi appealed for calm while promising stringent action against those responsible for disrupting peace in Cuttack.
"Curfew will remain in force for 36 hours under 13 police areas from Sunday night. There is a ban on internet and social media services for 36 hours, starting 7 pm on Sunday," police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said.
Police said such stringent measures were taken after 25 people, including 8 police personnel were seriously injured in a stone-pelting incident during a bike rally on Sunday evening. "An organisation took out the bike rally despite being denied permission. When police tried to stop them, they pelted stones at us," Singh said, adding that a massive police deployment has been made to prevent any untoward incident. He also warned of action against miscreants for spreading hate and fake contents on social media.
Earlier, Majhi expressed sorrow over the group clash and urged all citizens to maintain peace and order. "Cuttack, with its rich thousand-year history, stands as a testament to unity and brotherhood. However, in recent days, the peace in the city was disrupted by some miscreants, affecting the daily lives of ordinary people. The govt is keeping an eye on these miscreants and will take strict action against them," the CM's statement read.
Majhi, who directed DGP Y B Khurania to head to Cuttack and camp there to prevent escalation of the situation, called on citizens to remain united and preserve the city's heritage.
His appeal is particularly significant as tensions remain high following the violence, with the VHP calling for a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday.
On Sunday, the commissionerate police conducted flag marches throughout the city to reassure citizens of their safety. A high-level meeting was also convened by DGP Khurania, police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh, and additional director general (law and order) Sanjay Kumar to work out a strategy on restoring peace in Cuttack.
On Saturday, police had arrested six men in connection with the violence.
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