Clash during Durga Puja idol immersion ceremony: VHP calls for Cuttack bandh on Oct 6

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has expressed sharp outrage over the violence that erupted during the Durga idol immersion procession in Cuttack. Holding the district administration and police responsible for the incident, the organisation has called for a Cuttack bandh on Monday (October 6) in protest.

In a statement, the VHP condemned the alleged stone-pelting and armed attacks on devotees and immersion participants, describing it as a deliberate assault on the harmony. The outfit has demanded the transfer of the Cuttack District Collector and the DCP, citing their failure to maintain law and order during the festivities.

The VHP has also urged authorities to identify and arrest all culprits involved in the violence and take stringent action against them.

“The troublemakers must be arrested immediately. We, along with all the Hindu organisations in the city, are forced to observe Cuttack bandh,” said Basudev Behera, VHP district president.

Pabitra Mohan Das, VHP Cuttack district in-charge, said, “Police and district administrative officials are saying 1000 CCTV and drone cameras were deployed. But what were those helpful? This is a complete failure on the part of the police and district administration. Other than common people, the police were also attacked, and the DCP was also injured.”

Meanwhile, the Cuttack District BJP has also condemned the incident, calling for strong punitive measures against those arrested. The party demanded that the accused be booked under the National Security Act (NSA) to set an example against disturbances during religious events.

“We condemn the attack during the immersion ceremony. We demand stringent action against those who are involved in the attack and attempted to tarnish the brotherhood of the city,” demanded Sukant Biswal, Cuttack BJP president.

Also Read: Group clash during Durga idol immersion in Cuttack: 6 persons arrested and further probe on, says Police Commissioner

Heavy police deployment continues in sensitive areas of the city to prevent any further untoward incidents, even as the administration has appealed for peace and restraint.