Police chief denies reports of scuffle during Kali Puja immersion in Cuttack

Cuttack: Commissioner of Police S Dev Datta Singh on Friday refuted media reports claiming a scuffle broke out between security personnel and members of a Kali Puja committee during an idol immersion procession in Cuttack’s Chandni Chowk area.

Some media outlets had reported that a few members of the Bakharabad Puja Committee were allegedly assaulted by security forces without provocation while the procession was underway.

Rejecting the claims, Singh said no such incident occurred. “There was no scuffle and the atmosphere remains peaceful. The immersion processions are continuing smoothly,” he told PTI.

According to police sources, nearly 50 platoons-around 1,500 personnel, including Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) jawans were deployed across the city to ensure smooth conduct of the immersion processions.

Earlier this month, clashes between two groups during a Durga Puja immersion in Cuttack had left several people injured, including a deputy commissioner of police.

Meanwhile, a Cuttack court on Thursday granted bail to 22 of the 31 individuals arrested in connection with the October 4 and 5 clashes. They were released from jail on Friday.

(with agency inputs)