Violence erupts again in Bengal, this time in Hooghly

Arson and violence have reportedly erupted in West Bengal again. This time, it is reported in Hooghly district, according to news agency ANI.

Dilip Ghosh, BJP National Vice President, claimed that stones were pelted on women and children during the Shobha yatra.

Slamming Mamata Banerjee's government, he said, "The state goverment is taking no action even after Howrah violence. Stones are being pelted and vehicles are being vandalised," he told the news agency.

The ANI has also shared a clip on Twitter which can be seen below:

"Police managed to chase away the trouble-makers after being silent spectators for a while," he alleged. Condemning the violence, state Industry Minister Shashi Panja 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".

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.

The BJP was trying to foment trouble by taking religious processions to certain sensitive pockets, he alleged, claiming that it was creating such a situation to demand President's rule in the state.

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.

Amid the political furore, the Mamata Banerjee government on Friday handed over the probe of Howrah violence to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

With inputs from agencies