Deploy Central forces to bring situation under control: Bengal MP to PM

BJP Lok Sabha MP Jagannath Sarkar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah requesting "the intervention of Central forces to prevent the spread of repression in Howrah". He has also demanded an NIA investigation into the root cause of riots.

"I am writing you this letter with a heavy heart for the local people who suffered a lot because of communal riots that erupted during Ram Navami rallies at Howrah, West Bengal on 30 March 2023 (Thursday). The situation is quickly spiraling out of control, and the local police force is unable to control the violence," he said in the letter shared by ANI on Twitter.

The violence broke out when a Ram Navarni procession was crossing the Kazipara locality as stones were thrown at them from a nearby roof, he claimed.

"This communal riots resulted in stone pelting, torching of several vehicles and the ransacking of local shops. Vehicles engulfed in flames and a heavy police deployment, including riot control force were implemented in the area and the security personnel had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. From the Friday morning fresh incidents of stone-throwing and arson were reported in Shibpur just hours after the road where the incident took place was opened up to traffic," he stated.

He then held the West Bengal government and the state administration "completely responsible" for the violence. The BJP MP said that presently the situation has become uncontrollable.

Mamata is making false and fabricated allegations against the people who believes in "sanatan culture' and celebrating the Ram Navami, he alleged. "Moreover, she announced protests on the day of Ram Navami, dated on March 30," he pointed out.

"As a concerned citizen, as per the demand of the local people, I urge you to intervene and deploy central forces to bring the situation under control. The use of force may be necessary to restore law and order and protect the lives and properties of innocent civilians.

Furthermore, I also request the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the root cause of the rots and identify the instigators behind them. It is important to bring these individuals to justice and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future," he Sarkar highlighted.

It has to be noted that West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sukanta Majumdar on Friday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into violence in Howrah during Ram Navami celebrations.

"It is always my privilege to write to you, especially concerning about the affairs of my state. But unfortunately this time I am forced to write about the orchestrated attack on the Processions of Ram Navami in various parts of West Bengal like Howrah, Dalkhota. In Howrah it took ugly turn with Bombs and Stones thrown on the procession inspite of taking prior permission from Police by submitting Route map," wrote the West Bengal BJP chief in his letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Secondly, the BJP leader said on March 30 the procession in Howrah was attacked at the same place where it was attacked during the last Ram Navami in spite of police presence.

Following the violence in West Bengal's Howrah during Ram Navami celebrations, Leader of Opposition in the State Legislative Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari on Friday filed a PIL in Calcutta High Court seeking a NIA probe into the matter and immediate deployment of Central Forces in the violence-affected areas.

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.

With inputs from PTI