HAD CAUTIONED ADMIN: MAHTAB

As Cuttack remained tense due to two consecutive clashes during and after goddess Durga idol immersion procession, senior BJP leader and local MP Bhartruhari Mahtab Monday said he had earlier cautioned the administration about potential trouble in the city.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Mahtab, a seven-time MP who was reelected on a BJP ticket, said he had flagged concerns about the release of certain people from jail with a record of 'disturbance-creating habits'.

"Some people have a habit of creating disturbances. They should have been identified. I had cautioned the administration earlier that such persons had been released from jail, and some others were provoking them. I shared the information with the administration I received," Mahtab told a local television channel.

Two incidents of violence were reported in Cuttack's Dargha Bazar area between Friday and Sunday, leaving at least 31 people injured, including 10 police personnel. The first clash occurred on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday during the idol immersion procession, leaving six injured.