Bhubaneswar: The curfew that was in effect for 36 hours in Cuttack due to clashes on October 5 has been lifted, as the city returns to normalcy, Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh announced on Tuesday. He stated, “The 36-hour curfew imposed in Cuttack ended at 10 am today. The situation remains normal and is under strict surveillance. Patrolling and static deployment of security forces at sensitive locations across the city will continue.” Following the violence and stone-pelting incident on October 5, police had to resort to force, leading to the curfew’s implementation. With no reported incidents of violence during the curfew and peace prevailing, the curfew was lifted at 10 am today.
The Police Commissioner also confirmed that an additional arrest related to the violent clash on Sunday brought the total number of arrests in the case to nine. The curfew was imposed in several sensitive areas following fresh violence during a bike rally organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on October 5, which was in response to an attack on a Durga Puja immersion procession the previous Friday night. During his remarks to reporters, Police Commissioner Singh mentioned that internet services would be restored in the city based on the evolving situation.
On Monday, the state government had extended the suspension of internet services in Cuttack until 7 pm on October 7, citing concerns over the potential misuse of social media and messaging apps by anti-social elements to spread rumors and disrupt peace. Approximately 60 platoons of police and six companies of the Central Armed Police Force were deployed to restore normalcy in the city.
