Cuttack unrest after Durga Puja immersion prompts curfew and net ban

Cuttack remained under tight security and restrictions on Monday after violent clashes during a Durga Puja idol immersion late Friday night and renewed violence over the weekend left scores injured, damaged property and prompted a temporary suspension of internet services across the city. The unrest began between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. near Haathi Pokhari in the Daraghabazar area as an immersion procession heading toward Debigara on the banks of the Kathajodi river was objected to by some residents over high decibel music, police said.

Police said the disagreement escalated into stone pelting and bottle throwing from rooftops, injuring several people, including Cuttack deputy commissioner of police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo. Authorities and officials reported that initial immersion activities were halted for nearly three hours and later resumed under tight security, with all idols immersed by midmorning. In the days that followed, a motorcycle rally organised by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad that authorities said lacked permission was stopped by police, after which fresh violence broke out. Rioters reportedly set fires at multiple locations near Gouri Shankar Park, damaged shops and...