Bengal violence: Section 144 imposed, internet suspended in Hooghly

The West Bengal government has imposed prohibitory orders and suspended the internet after fresh clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession in Hooghly district on Sunday evening.

Two Ram Navami processions were organised in the Rishra police station area, and the second one was attacked near Wellington Jute Mill More at GT Road around 6.15 pm, the cops said.

BJP vice-president Dilip Ghosh said that stones were hurled at them when people were walking peacefully to the Jagannath temple. Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh was injured in the violence, he said.

"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. We took immediate steps to address the situation," a senior officer of the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate was quoted as saying.

A few police personnel were injured in the violence. However, no arrests have been made yet. Quick action was taken by the police and the situation is now under control, she said.

A heavy police deployment has been made in the area to prevent any further flare-up, the officer said.

"Police are doing route march, and prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144 have been imposed in Rishra wards 1-5 and Serampore's ward 24. Internet services will remain suspended in parts of Rishra and Serampore till 10 pm on Monday," she said.

Governor's Reaction
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Sunday slammed the fresh violence that erupted during the BJP's Shoba Yatra in Hoogly district, saying rioters will soon realise that "they're playing with fire."

"Hooligans and thugs will be crushed with an iron hand. They will be made to curse the day they were born. Democracy can't be derailed. The state is determined to put an end to this arson and looting. Lawbreakers will soon realise that they're playing with fire," ANI quoted West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose in a tweet.

He said that the "culprits" will be arrested "tonight itself."

"Reinforcement rushed to the spot, and culprits will be booked tonight itself and put behind the bars. We're determined. This kind of hooliganism thwarts democratic processes," he added.

State Government's Response
State Industry Minister Shashi Panja condemned the incident and alleged the BJP was indulging in the destruction of peace and tranquility of the state.

"BJP is known for vandalism of public property, and triggering communal riots all over the country," she alleged. Panja said the rally, which was attacked, was being led by Dilip Ghosh, "who is known for his provocative statements".

#WATCH| West Bengal: Arson & violence erupt in Hooghly during Ram Navami Shobhayatra at Rishra pic.twitter.com/JsxXOEAolH

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2023

The state government will firmly deal with the situation and take necessary action to punish the perpetrators, she said. TMC spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar questioned what was the need to organise the procession two days after Ram Navami.

"Why are they so bent on taking out Ram Navami processions during the holy month of Ramzan? Why was the Ram Navami rally taken out two days later? The BJP wants to engineer riots in Bengal to create instability for political gains," he told PTI.

West Bengal BJP writes to Shah over Ram Navami violence
West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over violence in the state during Ram Navami celebrations.

#WATCH | West Bengal: Ruckus and stone pelting erupt during the BJP Shobha yatra in Hooghly pic.twitter.com/fbRdsGRkNT

— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2023

This is Majumdar's second letter to Shah regarding the violence in Bengal in less than a week.

West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Sukanta Majumdar on Sunday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over violence in the state during Ram Navami celebrations.

This is Majumdar's second letter to Shah regarding the violence in Bengal in less than a week.

Violence broke out on Thursday evening between two groups when a Ram Navami procession was taken out in the twin city of Howrah. Several vehicles, including some belonging to the police, were torched and shops and auto-rickshaws ransacked during the violence.

However, a fresh stone pelting incident was reported on Friday. A number of local people locked themselves inside houses while shops and markets were closed. Vehicular movement was disrupted following the incident of stone pelting.

A total of 38 people were arrested in connection with Howrah violence during a Ram Navami procession, Police said on Saturday.

With inputs from agencies