After spending a week in the grip of communal violence, Basirhat seemed to be returned to the rhythm of normal life from Monday. Schools, banks and markets opened for business while the government allowed the resumption of Internet services in the area.
To stop the spread of rumours and panic following the communal flare-up on the night of July 2 over a blasphemous Facebook post by a class 11 student, the Mamata Banerjee government ordered suspension of Internet services in the subdivision from the night of July 3.
Read: Muslim doctor, Hindu compounder spread message of peace in violence-hit Basirhat
However, the administration decided to continue with section 144 of CrPC prohibiting the assembly of more than four persons at a spot. The patrolling of the central paramilitary forces will also continue as precautionary measure, confirmed an official of the North 24 Parganas district magistrate office.
Incidentally, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has already announced judicial probe into who instigated the communal flare-up and how.
“The attendance is more or less normal in schools. Only some parents might have retained their wards at home. However, members of the peace committee from both communities will visit these parents and try to convince them to send their children to schools from Tuesday,” said Haji Bhutto, a convener of the joint peace committee of Basirhat town.
{{/usCountry}}“The attendance is more or less normal in schools. Only some parents might have retained their wards at home. However, members of the peace committee from both communities will visit these parents and try to convince them to send their children to schools from Tuesday,” said Haji Bhutto, a convener of the joint peace committee of Basirhat town.
{{/usCountry}}Read: Bengal violence: Basirhat’s Muslim leaders tried to pacify the rioting mob, but couldn’t
Local businessmen have been relieved with the banks reopening. “Since the noon of July 3, banks and ATMs downed shutters. They are all back in operation,” said Kuddus Seikh, a wholesale fish trader from the Trimohini crossing in Basirhat town was one of the epicentres of violence.
The first signs of normalcy started appearing on July 8 when leaders from both united to restore peace. One person was killed in the violence.