Cuttack Curfew Tightens as Internet Ban Stays

Cuttack, one of Odisha’s most vibrant cities, is facing a tense calm after days of unrest that followed the Durga Puja immersion processions. Authorities have imposed a curfew and suspended internet services across the city to prevent the spread of rumours and restore normalcy. What began as a local dispute has now spiralled into a larger law-and-order challenge, leaving thousands confined indoors and schools, businesses, and transport services on pause.

The Root of the Unrest

The trouble reportedly began soon after the immersion of Durga idols, an annual ritual that usually passes peacefully in Cuttack. This year, however, disagreements over procession routes and loud music timings allegedly sparked clashes between two communities late on Sunday night. By early Monday, the situation intensified, with reports of stone-pelting, property damage, and minor injuries emerging from the Mangalabag and Dargha Bazaar areas.

Local police moved quickly to disperse crowds and bring the situation under control. But as videos and unverified messages began circulating online, tensions spread to neighbouring localities. That is when the district administration decided to clamp down firmly — imposing a city-wide curfew under Section 144 and cutting mobile internet access to prevent further provocation.

The Official Response

Cuttack District Collector Ananya Das called the internet suspension “a necessary step to restore calm and discourage misinformation”. Police Commissioner Pinak Mishra confirmed that more than 40 people had been detained in connection with the incidents, with additional forces deployed from Bhubaneswar to maintain round-the-clock patrols.

Authorities have appealed to residents to remain indoors and cooperate with security personnel. Essential services such as hospitals, pharmacies, and emergency food delivery are being allowed to operate with special permissions. Meanwhile, educational institutions have been asked to stay closed until further notice.

Odisha’s Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged citizens to maintain peace and harmony. “Cuttack has always stood for its unity. Let us not let rumours break what festivals aim to strengthen — our togetherness,” he said through an official statement.

How the Internet Blackout Is Affecting Daily Life

The internet blackout, which started on Monday morning, has severely affected normal communication. Small business owners who rely on UPI payments and online deliveries say they are facing losses. Students preparing for exams reported difficulty accessing their study materials, while journalists and NGOs have struggled to verify on-ground developments.

For a city often called the “Silver City” for its famous filigree work, this digital silence feels especially heavy. Internet restriction has become a go-to tool for many administrations across India in times of unrest, but it also comes with serious inconvenience to ordinary citizens.

What’s Fueling the Anger?

While officials are cautious about revealing the exact cause of the clashes, ground reports suggest that social media misinformation played a critical role. What started as a minor argument over procession sequences allegedly evolved into a frenzy once edited videos and false claims began spreading online.

Experts say the combination of festival euphoria, community sensitivities, and overheated local politics can often turn volatile when mixed with unchecked digital rumours. Cuttack, like many Indian cities, has seen rapid growth in social media use, but not all users are equipped to verify what they see online — and that has become a breeding ground for tension.

A City of Harmony Tested

Cuttack is known for how comfortably various communities have coexisted for centuries. The Durga Puja celebrations themselves are a symbol of this tradition, with Muslim artisans crafting idols and managing sound systems and Hindu organisers sharing space with diverse traders. That is what makes the current discord particularly disheartening for locals.

Many community leaders from both sides have begun peace meetings, urging people to move beyond anger. Religious institutions and residents associations are planning joint cleanliness drives once the curfew is lifted, showing a shared resolve to bring normal life back.

This episode in Cuttack highlights how modern India’s connectivity strength can also be its vulnerability. The same social networks that unite people during festivals can divide them when falsehoods spread unchecked. Policymakers now face a tough balance — how to maintain peace without cutting citizens off from their primary means of communication.

Security experts argue that while short-term curfews may work, long-term solutions lie in community engagement and digital literacy. If citizens are better educated in spotting misinformation, panic can be prevented without the need for blanket blackouts.

What Lies Ahead

As of Tuesday morning, the curfew remains in force, though officials are hinting at a phased relaxation if peace continues. The administration is expected to restore internet services gradually once ground reports confirm stability. For now, police presence stays heavy in parts of the city, with drones monitoring key intersections.

For most residents, however, the mood is one of quiet anxiety mixed with hope. Cuttack has survived floods, economic shifts, and urban congestion before — its people believe this too shall pass. Once the idol immersion dust settles and the city reopens its networks, perhaps the lessons learned will help ensure such unrest does not repeat.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies