Five detained in Cuttack group clash, situation under control

Cuttack: Five persons have been detained by the Commissionerate Police in connection with the group clash that erupted between locals of Narendrapur and Kakudiapara villages under Nemala area here on Monday morning.

The prohibitory orders clamped in the area following the clash yesterday have been extended for today even as the situation is reported to be under control now. As many as five platoons of police have been deployed to maintain law and order in the area.

Central Range IG Soumendra Priyadarshi and Cuttack Rural SP Madhav Chandra Sahoo visited the spot today and held discussions with the villagers in order to restore peace in the area, reports said.

"We are investigating the matter and trying to identify more persons involved in instigating the villagers to fight with each other," Sahoo informed.

The police had earlier called for a peace-building meeting with the representative of the villages in order to resolve the issue.

On Monday morning, locals of both villages entered into a scuffle over transportation of wood for construction of Ganesh idol for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi in Narendrapur village. However, the situation flared up after members of one group allegedly thrashed an expectant mother.

The irate mob also set ablaze a police van forcing the concerned authorities to clamp Sec 144 in the area.