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Fresh stone pelting in Howrah day after Ram Navami clashes. Mamata-BJP war of words rages on
Several vehicles including some belonging to police were torched during clashes in Howrah on Thursday. Some shops and autorickshaws were also ransacked.
Fresh stone pelting was reported in Howrah district of West Bengal, day after clashes between two groups during a Ram Navami procession in the industrial town. Video shared by news agency ANI showed stone pelting even as police personnel tried to control the situation.
Amid the tension prevailing in Howrah, chief minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party and other right-wing organisations for the violence.
"Howrah's incident is very unfortunate. Neither Hindus nor Muslims were behind the violence in Howrah. The BJP along with Bajrang Dal and other such organisations were involved in the violence with arms," the chief minister told a Bengali news channel.
Assuring help to those whose properties were vandalised during the violence, Banerjee said 31 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
Politics has erupted over the violence which took place in Kazipara area of the district on Thursday. Heavy police deployment is in place in Howrah as the situation is said to be peaceful. Several vehicles including some belonging to police were torched during violence. Some shops and autorickshaws were also ransacked during the arson.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has hit back at Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of making provocative statements during Ram Navami. “Yesterday’s attack and arson on RamNavami processions in various locations in West Bengal is a direct result of CM Mamata Banerjee’s provocative statements against organizers of #RamNavami . We can clearly see WB police standing with the rioters & watching silently”, West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar tweeted.
"Why did they change the route [at the last moment] and take the unauthorized route to target and attack one community? If they believe they will attack others and receive relief through legal interventions, they must know that the people will reject them one day," Mamata Banerjee had said yesterday.
