In Odisha’s Cuttack city, bad fights broke out. It started on Saturday during Durga Puja idol immersion. People threw stones at a procession. Eight got hurt, including a top police officer. Fires started too. On Sunday, a bike rally without permission turned violent. Riders pelted stones at police. More than 25 people, mostly cops, were injured. Shops burned. Bikes got damaged. The city felt unsafe.
Now, Cuttack is under curfew. No one can go out freely for 36 hours in 13 police areas. And from 7 pm Sunday, the internet and social media are off. Some say it’s for 12 hours. Others say 24 or 36. The police chief said, “We must stop fake news and hate posts.” They fear online lies could make fights worse between groups.
Cuttack loves festivals like Durga Puja. They bring fun, songs, and crowds. But this time, trouble came over loud songs in a mixed area near Dargha Bazaar. Locals did not like them. It led to anger. On Sunday, groups rode bikes to support a shutdown protest on Monday. Police tried to stop them in dangerous spots. Fists flew. Police used sticks. The air filled with shouts.
The internet ban aims to calm things. Without apps like WhatsApp or Twitter, bad videos and angry words can’t spread fast. One fake clip could say, “They hit us first!” It might pull more people into the fight. Odisha’s leader, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, asked for peace. He said Cuttack is an old city of friends and unity. With no net, maybe people talk in person. Police can patrol without online hate. They already caught six men for Saturday’s stones.
But is this fair? The ban hurts everyone. Shop owners can’t take orders or pay bills on phones. Kids can’t learn online. Doctors can’t share health tips. What about speaking freely? India’s rules say people can share thoughts. But in bad times, this right goes away first. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad group wants the Monday protest. Without social media, how do they tell others? Normal people can’t share safe path tips or ask for help.
Experts on online rights say it’s too harsh. “It’s like using a big hammer for a small bug,” one said. India does this a lot over 100 times in years. It stops trouble now but may hide anger for later. As police march with flags and bosses stay in the city to watch, one fact stands out: peace needs light, not dark.
Cuttack waits quietly. Phones show only old games. Families stay home, hoping no more stones fly. The blackout may stop the fire today. But when the internet returns, will it help heal or start new pain? That’s the big question in the warm Odisha night.
