Fresh clashes in Bengal; BJP moves HC for probe

Later in the day, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Kazipara area, a senior IPS officer said.

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday called up West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose over violence during Ram Navami processions in Howrah district and the BJP moved the Calcutta high court seeking a central investigation into the episode that has triggered a political row.

Security personnel cordon off an area after clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession, in Howrah district. (PTI)

Fresh clashes were reported from the area on Friday and the state government blamed the Opposition for trying to stoke riots. Later in the day, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Kazipara area, a senior IPS officer said.

The political slugfest came a day after 10 people, including two policemen, were injured after two groups attacked each other with bricks and lathis during a Ram Navami procession in Shibpur. Eight vehicles were torched and 45 people arrested.

The BJP blamed the ruling Trinamool Congress for the violence and moved the high court, seeking a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and deployment of central forces in the trouble-torn areas.

According to the people familiar with developments, Shah spoke to Bose and inquired about the security situation and alleged attack on Ram Navami processions.BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar told the media that Shah also called him to take stock of the situation.

But chief minister Mamata Banerjee dismissed this charge. “This was not done by Hindus. Even we are Hindus. This was done by some goons of the BJP and other organisations. It was an unprovoked and unilateral attack,” she told a Bengali news channel.

A statement issued by the Raj Bhavan in Kolkata said that Bose had a confidential discussion with Banerjee to review the situation and also sought a report from the state. “The Governor ordered a real-time monitoring of the situation by Raj Bhavan and constituted a special cell for the same,” the statement said.

Tension simmered in the region on Friday. Fresh violence erupted after police were allegedly attacked with stones by unidentified men, prompting the forces to resort to lathi charge. A large contingent of police, including the Rapid Action Force, was deployed and prohibitory orders imposed.

“The situation was brought under control. Additional forces were deployed. Investigation is going on,” said an IPS officer, privy to the matter.

The violence in Howrah was part of a string of violent incidents that marred Ram Navami processions across the country, including in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said he filed a petition in the high court. “Petrol bombs were used. This is a case fit for NIA,” he added.

The Trinamool Congress blamed the BJP.

“The BJP and a few other organisations have planned to trigger this riot. Yesterday, the BJP created such riots in around 100 places across India. The Howrah incident is very unfortunate. There were instructions that no rally (Ram Navami procession) would be allowed on that route. But goons, carrying firearms, petrol bombs and other weapons attacked some houses of a community and ransacked shops. They also attempted to spread such violence in Park Circus in Kolkata and other areas but we managed to stop it,” Banerjee told a Bengali news channel.

“We know how to tackle them. I urge all to maintain peace. I would help the families whose shops and houses have been damaged,” she added. She admitted the failure of police administration in controlling the situation and assured strict action against a section of police personnel.

The BJP dismissed the chief minister’s allegations, saying she was trying to hide her own failure as state home minister.

“The TMC’s loss in Sagardighi by-election revealed that their minority vote bank is eroding. The TMC planned this attack to consolidate its minority vote bank,” state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said.

In Murshidabad’s Muslim-dominated Sagardighi seat, a candidate nominated by the Left-Congress alliance won in elections last month, defeating the TMC pick after more than a decade.