Bhubaneswar, Oct 9: Odisha Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan on Thursday strongly criticized West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for her comments on the recent violence in Cuttack. He also accused Banerjee of trying to provoke people when the situation had calmed down.

Earlier in the day, CM Banerjee Banerjee blamed the BJP and Bajrang Dal for last week’s violence in Cuttack city during the Durga idol immersion procession.

Minister Harichandan’s Response

Harichandan dismissed Banerjee’s remarks as provocative and irresponsible, stating that the situation in Cuttack had already been brought under control through swift government action. “Instead of commenting on Odisha, Mamata should try and improve the situation in her own state,” he said, referring to ongoing law and order issues in West Bengal.

The Law Minister emphasized that Odisha remains a peaceful state and that the violence in Cuttack was an isolated incident. “The people of Odisha have faith in their government,” Harichandan added, accusing Banerjee of attempting to defame the state and provoke unrest.

Political Fallout

Other Odisha Ministers echoed Harichandan’s sentiments. Housing and Urban Development Minister Krushna Chandra Mohapatra accused Banerjee of encouraging riots in her own state while making baseless claims about Odisha.

BJP state president Manmohan Samal also weighed in, urging Banerjee to focus on West Bengal’s internal issues. He also maintained that Banerjee’s comments could reignite tensions and distract from the efforts being made to maintain peace in the region.

Banerjee’s remarks came during a press interaction in Kolkata, where she claimed that “Cuttack is burning” and blamed BJP and Bajrang Dal for communal tensions. Her comments were seen as inflammatory, especially given the sensitive nature of the violence, which led to curfews and internet shutdowns in Cuttack.

 
Also Read: Normalcy Returns To Cuttack After Tensions Ease

Violence During Durga Immersion

The violence in Cuttack reportedly erupted during the Durga idol immersion procession last weekend, leading to clashes that injured 31 people, including 10 police personnel. Several shops were damaged in the ensuing arson and chaos, prompting a swift response from law enforcement to restore order.