Durga Puja idol immersion ceremony turns violent in Cuttack; DCP among 6 injured in group clash

Tension gripped Cuttack after a violent clash broke out between two groups during the Goddess Durga idol immersion procession under Dargha Bazar police limits late Friday night.  At least six persons, including Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo, sustained serious injuries in the incident. Sources said that the Cuttack DCP sustained eye injuries.  

According to reports, the clash began around 2 am when the Jhanjirimangala Bhagabat Puja Committee’s idol procession was on its way to Debigada for immersion. Local residents allegedly objected to the music being played during the procession, sparking a heated exchange. 

Later, stone and glass bottle pelting was reported from a stretch near Dargha Bazar Jail Road, leading to a violent confrontation. The region reportedly turned into a warzone for around 3 hours. 

Both groups hurled stones and glass bottles at each other, damaging several vehicles in the area. Police resorted to a lathi charge to bring the situation under control. Despite a temporary calm, fresh clashes erupted again after the Rausapatna idol reached the region, further escalating the unrest.

In protest, members of the procession staged a sit-in on the road, halting the immersion midway. As many as 50 idols remained stranded as the situation remained tense.

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Police have deployed additional forces in the area to restore order and ensure the smooth completion of the immersion process.