Clashes on Holi in Bengal's Birbhum; 21 arrested, internet suspended
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PTI photo.
Sainthia Suri/West Bengal: Twenty-one people were arrested in connection with a clash between two groups of people in West Bengal's Birbhum district, police said on Saturday. The clash happened in the Sainthia police station area on Friday evening, and PTI reported it based on a police account.
According to officials, internet and voice-over-internet telephony services were suspended in at least five Gram Panchayat areas of Sainthia town in West Bengal's Birbhum district to prevent the spread of rumours and unlawful activities, Hindustan Times reported.
In order to prevent incitement to any kind of offence, the state government suspended internet services. However, the order added that no restrictions are placed on voice calls or SMS, and the same goes for newspapers, ensuring that communication and dissemination of knowledge and information is not stopped.
After receiving information about the incident, police immediately rushed to the spot and brought the situation under control, an official said.
He said the situation has been peaceful in the area since then.
A few people from both groups suffered minor injuries in the violence and were administered medical aid, he said. Additional forces have been deployed in the area to maintain the law and order situation, he added.
Meanwhile, The chief opposition in West Bengal BJP, as well as its leader and Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, took the developments as a chance to attack the ruling Trinamool Congress, Hindustan Times reported. Adhikari termed the internet suspension as evidence of the deterioration of the law and order situation. He claimed that the move was an acceptance of the incapability of the Mamata Banerjee-led administration in the state to contain the situation or manage the crisis.
"The West Bengal Government are trying their best to hide the events of communal flare-ups to save their face. I urge @HMOIndia and His Excellency, the Hon'ble @BengalGovernor, to seek a report from the Chief Secretary (@chief_west) of WB regarding the deterioration of the law and order situation in the state," he wrote on X.