Overview

• Police said a motorcycle rally linked to the VHP defied orders, prompting stone-pelting and arson that left about 25 people injured, including eight officers, with fires reported near Gourishankar Park and CCTV cameras damaged.
• The curfew began at 10 pm Sunday across 13 police station limits, while internet and social media services were cut from 7 pm Sunday to 7 pm Monday in areas under the CMC, CDA and the 42 Mauza region.
• Violence was first reported during a Durga idol immersion when objections to high-decibel music escalated into stone-pelting that injured Cuttack DCP Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo; six suspects have been arrested and more are being identified.
• Security was reinforced with at least 10 companies deployed, flag marches conducted, and the DGP directed to oversee operations as investigators review CCTV and drone footage.
• Authorities warned against circulating false or inflammatory posts, dismissed social media rumors of a death, and noted the VHP has called a 12-hour bandh in Cuttack on Monday as leaders appealed for calm.