Thugs will be crushed with iron hand: Bengal Governor on Hoogly violence

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.

Arson and violence erupted in the Hooghly district on Sunday evening. Dilip Ghosh, BJP National Vice President, claimed that stones were pelted on women and children during the Shobha yatra. Video clips of the procession showed the BJP workers running for safety amid stone-throwing.

On the other hand, West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar wrote to Union Minister Amit Shah on Ram Navmi violence in the state and requested immediate help.

In the latest letter, he claimed that Dilip Ghosh's vehicle was torched and incidents of arson and fire happened as police stood still as mere spectators. This strengthens "our allegations that there is definite support from the ruling party TMC and section of the Administration led by Mamata Banerjee who has already issued several statements in favour of the miscreants belonging to the minority community," he stated.

He further said that one Coal trader named Raju Jha and also summoned by ED was shot dead yesterday in Shaktighar in the Vardhaman district.

"In view of the deteriorating law and order situation, we immediately seek your kind intervention as per law so that the situation does not go out of control and lives and properties of ordinary citizens are saved," he further added.

Meanwhile, the TMC accused that the violence was "pre-planned by the BJP."

"The incident that took place in Hooghly was pre-planned by BJP. These people are trying to create unrest in the name of Ram Navami. We're taking the stock of the situation. BJP is watching who can create more ruckus Dilip Ghosh or Sukanta Majumdar," ANI quoted Kunal Ghosh, TMC spokesperson, as saying over the communal attack on the processions of Ram Navami.

West Bengal Minister Shashi Panja said that violence and arson take place whenever BJP organises any rally. "Today also the same thing happened during the BJP rally which was headed by Dilip Ghosh. This has become their tradition. This whole incident was pre-planned by Dilip Ghosh. Our party completely condemns this act of the BJP," she said.