West Bengal: Riots, arson after alleged stone-pelting at BJP’s procession

The incidents of attack on the Ramnavami procession in West Bengal are not stopping. Following violence and arson in Howrah and Uttar Dinajpur districts over the issue last week, a violent clash broke out between the two groups on Sunday after alleged stone pelting at a procession organized by the BJP in Hooghly district.

After that there are reports of arson at some places. A large number of policemen have been deployed on the spot. The role of the police-administration is once again under question due to this incident. A police officer told that at present the situation is under control.

In some videos and pictures viral on social media, people can be seen running here and there amid arson and stone pelting in the area. The police has not said anything about it at the moment.

BJP’s National Vice President Dilip Ghosh, who was involved in the procession, alleged, “Stones were pelted at women and children during the procession. Even after the Howrah violence, the state government is not taking any action. Stones are being pelted. and vehicles are being vandalized. My convoy was also attacked.”

However, after the disturbance started, the central forces and state police personnel deployed.

Ghosh told that during the peaceful procession, a stone was thrown from somewhere and the disturbance started.

The BJP alleges that there was no proper police arrangement on the spot. But the Trinamool Congress, terming this allegation as baseless, has held the BJP responsible for the disturbance.

Shrirampur’s Trinamool Congress MLA Sudipta Rai said, “Most of the people involved in the procession were outsiders. These people are spreading unrest in the area by coming from outside. At present, the situation is under control. The police is monitoring the situation.”