Mamata accuses BJP, Bajrang Dal for Ram Navami violence in Howrah

The state government will help all those whose properties were vandalised in the clashes, she said. Thirty-one people have been arrested in connection with Thursday's violence in Howarh, the CM said.

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP and other right-wing organisations to be responsible for violence in the industrial town of Howrah on Ram Navami. "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," Banerjee told media, as she appealed to people to maintain peace in the area.

She further reassured that the state government will help all those whose properties were vandalised in the clashes. Thirty-one people have been arrested in connection with Thursday's violence in Howarh, the CM said. Claiming that there was laxity in a section of the administration, she said strict action would be taken against those involved in the clash.

Clashes broke out between two groups during Ram Navami festivities held on March 30, 2023 in West Bengal's Howrah. Several vehicles were torched, and shops ransacked in the area, police said. The situation in and around the Kazipara area in the district, which witnessed clashes between two groups during Ram Navami, was peaceful on Friday and under control as large numbers of police force remained deployed in the area on Friday.

Taking forward her sharp attack against arch-rival BJP, TMC supremo Banerjee, who has been on an overnight 'sit-in protest' here against the Centre's alleged discrimination against West Bengal, called for an "aur ek dafa Delhi chalo" (another march to Delhi) to oust the right-wing party from power. (With agency inputs)