Leaders call for calm as Cuttack curfew continues amid tension

Bhubaneswar, Oct 6 (UNI) Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the law and order situation in Cuttack, where a curfew continues. Patnaik appealed to people to maintain calm.
Patnaik said Odisha has always been a peace-loving state and that the people of Cuttack have always cherished harmony and goodwill.
The BJD supremo and former Chief Minister urged everyone to uphold peace and unity in the city during this tense period.

Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh described the incident that occurred during the immersion of Durga idols as “most unfortunate.”
He said Cuttack, with its proud 1,000-year-old heritage, should not allow its peaceful atmosphere to be disturbed.

The Mayor also supported the administration’s decision to impose a curfew and suspend internet services to restore order, and urged the police to take strict action against those responsible for the violence.

Singh appealed to residents to cooperate with the administration in maintaining peace and harmony, and called for strong action against rumour mongers attempting to inflame tensions.

Meanwhile, a 12-hour Cuttack bandh called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) today to protest the violence during the Durga idol immersion evoked no response due to the imposition of curfew.
Additional Police Commissioner Narasingha Bhol said essential services, including medical facilities, grocery stores, medicine shops, and petrol pumps, will remain open during the curfew.

He advised residents to stay indoors unless there is an emergency and to cooperate with the police in restoring normalcy at the earliest.

Odisha DGP YB Khurania also appealed to citizens not to believe in rumours, saying police teams are working to identify and take strict action against the miscreants involved in causing disturbances.
Police have so far registered three cases in connection with the violence.