CUTTACK: Tension ran high after at least six people, including Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, sustained injuries in a violent clash that broke out between two groups during the immersion procession of Goddess Durga at Haathi Pokhari near Dargah Bazaar in Cuttack late Friday night.
According to reports, the clash erupted around 2 a.m. when the idol from the Jhanjirmangala Bhagabat Sahi Puja Committee was en route to Devigada for immersion.
The violence reportedly began when the procession was passing through the Haathi Pokhari area and a group of locals allegedly objected to the music being played by the puja committee. The disagreement quickly escalated into a heated argument, which soon turned violent.
Members of both groups allegedly engaged in a physical confrontation, hurling stones and glass bottles at each other, and damaging several vehicles in the locality.
The stretch near Dargah Bazaar Jail Road was said to have turned into a warzone for nearly three hours. Police eventually resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control.
While the Jhanjirimangala medha was stalled due to the disturbance, the Rausapatna medha proceeded ahead. However, as it approached the Dargah Bazaar locality, a group of local youths reportedly attacked some participants in the procession, further aggravating the situation and compelling the police to resort to a lathi charge again to disperse the angry mob and restore law and order.
More than six people, including DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, were injured in the melee. One person from Rausapatna is said to be in critical condition. In addition to damage to several parked motorcycles, some roadside stalls were vandalized during the chaos. With tensions running high, the Rausapatna medha was brought to a halt, prompting local residents to stage a sit-in protest on the road, halting the immersion ceremony midway.
The situation was brought under control later that night. On Saturday morning, the immersion procession resumed peacefully amid tight security.