October 7, 2025
BHUBANESWAR – Authorities have extended the suspension of internet services in Cuttack for an additional 24 hours. The city, under a 36-hour curfew until 10 am on Tuesday, has witnessed violence, group clashes, and arson over the past 48 hours.
Following a series of violent incidents triggered during the Durga idol immersion procession, the internet shutdown has now been extended until 7 pm on Tuesday. “This is part of precautionary measures to prevent any further breaches in the city,” said Narasingha Bhol, Additional Commissioner of Police.
The curfew, imposed from 10 pm on Sunday night, will remain in effect until 10 am on Tuesday. Authorities will later decide whether to extend the prohibitory order. So far, no major untoward incidents have been reported, and peace has largely been restored. However, armed police continue to be deployed in sensitive areas, he added.
A 36-hour prohibitory order asking residents to stay indoors was imposed in 13 police station areas of Cuttack after at least 25 people were injured in fresh episodes of violence, following recent clashes during the Durga idol immersion procession.
Meanwhile, police have taken eight individuals into custody for their alleged involvement in violence, arson, vandalism, rioting, and attacks on law enforcement agencies, Police Commissioner S. Dev Datta Singh said on Monday.
Locals allege that the already tense situation was worsened when a rally by a Sangh Parivar outfit was allowed to pass through sensitive parts of the city, despite having no official permission.
“Police failed to gauge the volatile situation and left hooligans and miscreants unchecked. The curfew could have been avoided if the rally had been stopped in time. The current measures—curfew and internet suspension—are merely damage control after Cuttack’s image as a peace-loving city was tarnished,” residents said.
Veteran citizens of the city condemned the intelligence failure, noting that similar incidents occurred in 1990, but the then civil and police administration handled the situation professionally to restore order.
Cuttack Lok Sabha member Bhartruhari Mahtab echoed the sentiments of many locals. “Habitual anti-socials booked in multiple criminal cases were allegedly instigated by vested interest groups to disrupt peace. I had informed the police of the lawbreakers’ designs in advance. Preventive arrests should have been made before the puja,” Mahtab told reporters.
Cuttack MLA Sofia Firdous also remarked that the unrest reflected a serious intelligence failure that led to a breach of peace in the city.