Odisha Congress chief urges peace, harmony in Cuttack after clashes

Bhubaneswar, Oct 7 (UNI) Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee president Bhakta Charan Das has appealed to the government and administration to rise above party and sectarian lines, and uphold peace, harmony, and goodwill in society.

Condemning the group clashes that occurred during the immersion of Durga idols in Cuttack, Das demanded stringent action against those involved.
In a video message, the Congress president said the people of Cuttack have celebrated Dussehra for years in a spirit of brotherhood, irrespective of religion or caste.

The incident of stone-pelting during the immersion procession, which injured several people, has deeply hurt the city’s rich cultural heritage and long-standing communal harmony, he added.

Das emphasised that Cuttack, known for producing many freedom fighters and eminent personalities, must not witness such unfortunate incidents again. He urged all citizens to take collective responsibility to maintain peace and order.
Das called on the district administration to act firmly. “Criminals do not belong to any caste or religion,” he said, urging strict action against miscreants regardless of their affiliation.

Meanwhile, the 36-hour curfew imposed till 10 am today in 13 police station areas of Cuttack has been relaxed following an improvement in the situation, as no untoward incidents were reported in the last 24 hours.
However, internet services in the city and nearby areas remain suspended until 7 pm today as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of misinformation.

Police have registered three cases related to the clashes and arrested eight persons so far. Several others have been identified through CCTV footage, and raids are continuing to nab the culprits.