Has the 36-Hour Curfew in Cuttack Been Lifted as Normalcy Returns?
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Bhubaneswar, Oct 7 (NationPress) The 36-hour curfew that was enforced in Cuttack due to violent clashes on October 5 has now been officially lifted, signaling a return to normalcy in the city, as confirmed by Police Commissioner S Dev Datta Singh on Tuesday.
In a statement to the press, Singh remarked, “The 36-hour curfew in Cuttack concluded at 10 a.m. today. The situation is stable and is under careful monitoring. Ongoing patrolling and the static presence of security personnel at sensitive areas throughout the city will persist.”
“The imposition of the 36-hour curfew was necessary following the violence and stone-pelting incident on October 5. Fortunately, no further incidents occurred during the curfew, allowing us to lift it this morning,” he elaborated.
The police commissioner also disclosed that an additional suspect was apprehended in relation to the violent altercation from Sunday, raising the total arrests connected to the incident to nine.
In response to renewed violence in Cuttack during a bike rally organized by the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) on October 5, which stemmed from an attack on a Durga Puja immersion procession on Friday night, authorities enforced a curfew in several sensitive parts of the city for 36 hours.
During a briefing with reporters, Police Commissioner Singh also indicated that internet services would be reinstated in the city depending on the prevailing situation.
The state government had previously announced an extension of the suspension of internet services in Cuttack until 7 PM on October 7, citing concerns over potential misuse of social media and messaging platforms by anti-social elements to spread misinformation and disrupt peace in the area.
To restore order, approximately 60 platoons of police and six companies of the Central Armed Police Force were deployed throughout the city.