CUTTACK: Violence raised its ugly head during the immersion ceremony of Durga Puja after two groups fought a pitched battle near Dargha Bazaar in Cuttack city late Friday night. Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo was among six persons who were injured in the incident.
The clash erupted at around 2 am when the idol from Jhanjirmangala Bhagabat Sahi Puja committee was en route to Devi Gada for immersion. The procession party was passing through Haati Pokhari area when a group of locals allegedly objected to the music and chants by the puja committee members. This quickly escalated into a heated argument which turned violent.
Members of both the groups allegedly engaged in a physical confrontation, hurling stones and glass bottles at one another, damaging several vehicles in the locality. The stretch near Dargha Bazaar Jail Road turned into a war zone for nearly three hours. Police had to resort to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control.
Amidst the chaos, the Jhanjirmangala procession was stalled but the Rausapatna committee moved ahead. However, as it approached Dargha Bazaar locality, a group of local youths reportedly attacked some of the participants of the procession, further aggravating the situation and compelling police to resort to lathi charge again to disperse the mob and restore the law and order.
In the melee, more than six persons including DCP Dnyandeo and Dargha Bazaar IIC Rakesh Kumar Behera were injured. A resident of Rausapatana is said to be in a critical condition.
In addition to damage to several motorcycles, some roadside stalls were also vandalized by the rampaging mob.
With tension running high, the Rausapatna medha was brought to a halt, prompting the local residents to stage a sit-in protest on the road halting the immersion ceremony midway. The situation was brought under control later in the night and prohibitory orders under section 163 of BNS were imposed.
On Saturday morning, the immersion procession resumed amidst tight security. Police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh told mediapersons that the situation was brought under control immediately after the incident. “All the six accused persons involved in the violence have been apprehended and further investigation is underway,” he added.
He said the procession resumed early in the morning and immersion was completed on time.