Amit Shah speaks to Bengal governor over Ram Navami violence in Howrah

Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday spoke to Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to take stock of the situation in the state after a clash broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah on Thursday.

During the telephonic conversation, the home minister sought to know the prevailing situation in the state, particularly in the violence-hit areas of Howrah.

According to PTI, the governor is believed to have provided the home minister details about Thursday's violence and the present situation.

Clashes broke out between two groups in the Kazipara area of Howrah district during Ram Navami festivities. Several vehicles were torched and shops ransacked in the area, police said.

The situation in and around the area was peaceful on Friday with a large number of police personnel deployed there.

Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the violence in Howarh and Dalkhola and requested "an impartial inquiry involving Central agencies like NIA".

"It is our firm belief that the whole incident was pre-planned by the unfolding of events with first statement coming from none other than the CM on 29th March that strict action will be taken against the Processions of Ram Navami of there is any untoward incident," reads the letter.

Thirty-one people have been arrested in connection with Thursday's violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee 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.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who assured of strict action against the culprits, accused the BJP for allegedly trying to stoke communal tension during the procession.

The BJP, meanwhile, has sought an NIA probe and deployment of central forces in the affected areas through a petition in the Calcutta High Court.