Hooghly (West Bengal): West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose Tuesday rushed from Darjeeling to visit violence-hit Rishra in view of the fresh bombings that took place at Rishra Monday night. Speaking to the media the Governor said, "We will never allow forces of darkness to take society to ransom. We will take strict action against wrongdoers. People have a right to peacefully living, that right will be established at any cost"
Meanwhile, the Chandannagar Police Commissioner imposed Section 144 of CrPC in Serampore area in Hooghly district to maintain law and order in the area. Following the bombings, railways were forced to suspend all local and mail express train services operating to and from Rishra Railway Station for some time.
Moreover, the Howrah police on Tuesday arrested a man identified as Sumit Shaw (19), who was seen carrying a weapon at a Rama Navami rally in Howrah. The police arrested him from Bihar's Munger. Attacking the BJP, TMC State General Secretary Kunal Ghosh said that this incident proves the provocation plot of the BJP. Ghosh also added that the case has been assigned to CID.
Speaking to the media about train canellation, the Chief Public Relations Officer of Eastern Railway, Kaushik Mitra said that train movement was suspended in the Howrah-Bandel section from 10.06 pm due to stone pelting at Rishra. The services resumed at 01.07 am when the situation improved, he said adding that train service in Howrah - Bandel, Howrah - Burdwan section is normal at present.
A police vehicle was also set on fire at gate number 4 of the railway station and bricks were thrown at police personnel. The police used tear gas to contain the situation. The police had to retreat at first, then they came back with additional forces. The Ram Navami riots have not completely died out at Rishra and Srirampur.
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Internet services remained suspended overnight in some pockets of Hooghly district, prohibitory orders were still in place. On Monday, BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar was stopped from entering Rishra by the police. This led to a strong response from the saffron party. The BJP pointed out the complete failure of the Mamata Banerjee-led state government in containing the violence and demanded deployment of central forces in the area. Some BJP workers held a sit-in near the affected area in Rishra against the stopping of their state party chief's convoy on Monday.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari(BJP) who met injured Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh at the hospital said that he wanted to visit the Rishra immediately but he was not allowed by the police owing to the prohibitory orders. He attacked the TMC government pointing out the differences in treatment meted out to the BJP. While TMC leaders are allowed free pass to visit the affected area, opposition leaders are not allowed to do so, Adhikari alleged.
Speaking in defence, TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh accused the saffron party of fomenting trouble in the area. He alleged that the violence was a conspiracy by the BJP to disrupt communal harmony and peace in the state.
On Monday morning, an official from the Chandannagore Police Commissionerate told PTI that around 12 people were arrested. The police officer also added that things are under control. Security forces conducted route marches at some places on Monday. Markets were allowed to open for a stipulated time and the police kept a close watch on the movement of vehicles. On Sunday two Ram Navami processions were organised in Rishra. One of them witnessed clashes near Wellington Jute Mill More on GT Road Sunday evening.
