Rishra (WB): Clashes between two groups broke out during a Ram Navami procession in the Rishra police station area of West Bengal's Hooghly district on Sunday evening following which police imposed prohobitory orders and internet facility was suspended in the area.
According to the police two Ram Navami processions were organised in the Rishra police station area and the second procession was attacked near Wellington Jute Mill More at GT Road around 6.15 pm. Police said that reported that a few of their personnel were injured in the violence.
BJP Vice-President Dilip Ghosh, who was attacked during the procession, said that the people were walking peacefully to the Jagannath temple in Mahesh when they were pelted with stones. Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh was also injured in the violence.
A senior officer of the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate reported that Medinipur MP Dilip Ghosh and Pursurah MLA Biman Ghosh were present in the procession that was attacked. It was going through the traditional route when a group started throwing stones at it. Immediate steps were taken by the police to address the situation. However, arrests are yet to be made in connection with the violence.
Following the violence, prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144 were imposed in Rishra wards 1-5 and Serampore's ward 24. Internet services were also suspended in parts of Rishra and Serampore till 10 pm on Monday. A heavy police deployment has been made in the area to prevent any further flare-up.
Governor CV Ananda Bose, who was present in Darjeeling, stated that those behind the violence would be booked and put behind bars. "The miscreants, the hooligans, and the thugs will be crushed with an iron hand. They will be made to curse the day they were born. Mobocracy cannot derail democracy. We are determined, the state is determined to put an end to this arson and looting," he said.
The clash – an extension of similar incidents in Howrah, triggered political debate across the state. BJP's Dilip Ghosh alleged that several policemen were injured in the stone-pelting. He also alleged that the police managed to chase away the trouble-makers only after being silent spectators for a while. However, Industry Minister Shashi Panja condemned the violence and alleged that the BJP was indulging in the destruction of peace and tranquillity of the state. She further alleged that the rally, which was attacked, was being led by Dilip Ghosh, who is known for his provocative statements.
TMC spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar questioned the need to organize the procession two days after Ram Navami. He further alleged that the BJP was trying to foment trouble by taking religious processions to certain sensitive pockets, claiming that it was creating such a situation to demand President's rule in the state. Majumdar also claimed that those in the rally were carrying weapons such as swords, which created panic among the people.
The violence during Ram Navami celebrations also rocked parts of the neighbouring Howrah district on Thursday and Friday. Over 45 people were arrested, prohibitory orders were imposed, and the internet was suspended to bring the situation under control. The TMC alleged that the BJP was trying to engineer riots in Bengal to create instability for political gains.
