Cuttack (Odisha) - The situation in Cuttack city of Odisha turned tense hours after violence broke out between two groups during the immersion of Durga idols. However, police are continuing their investigation and so far, eight people have been arrested by the police. Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 12-hour bandh in the city on October 6. According to the police, the clash took place between 1.30 am and 2 am when the immersion procession was moving towards Devigarh on the banks of Kathajodi river near Hathi Pokhri in Dargah Bazar area.
They said that internet services have also been suspended for 24 hours from 7 pm to prevent violence.
Officials said the violence started when some locals objected to the loud music being played during the procession. The argument soon turned into a clash, with the crowd pelting stones and glass bottles from rooftops, injuring several people, including Cuttack Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Gyandev.
To control the situation, the police resorted to lathicharge to disperse the crowd. Several vehicles and roadside vehicles were also damaged during the clash. Members of the puja committee protested demanding the immediate arrest of those involved in the clash, due to which the immersion ceremony was stopped for about three hours.
The immersion ceremony resumed amidst tight security and all the remaining idols were immersed by 9:30 am on Sunday. According to the police, six people have been arrested so far and efforts are being made to identify others based on CCTV footage, drone footage and eyewitness statements. Additional police forces have been deployed in sensitive areas.