Fresh clashes erupt in Bengal's Hooghly during Ram Navami procession; BJP MLA, cops injured
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Kolkata: After the episodes of violence in Shibpur and Kazipara areas in Howrah district on March 30, a similar clash broke out on Sunday evening when a Ram Navami rally was attacked at Rishra in Hooghly district.
Two Ram Navami processions were organised in the Rishra police station area, and the second one was attacked near Wellington Jute Mill More at GT Road around 6.15 pm, they said.
Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh, along with a number of police personnel including the officer-in-charge of Rishra police station, Piyali Biswas, were injured in the clashes.
According to the Commissioner of Chandernagore City Police, Amit P Javalgi, Section 144 has been imposed in Rishra. A huge police contingent has been deployed in the area.
Following the clashes, prohibitory orders were imposed and the internet services were suspended in the Rishra and Mahesh areas of Hooghly from 11 pm on Sunday to 11 pm on Monday, government officials said citing an order.
BJP national vice-president Dilip Ghosh, who took part in the rally, shared a video on social media saying stones were pelted from a mosque.
The clashes took place days after the criminal investigation department (CID) of the West Bengal Police started an investigation into the incidents of violence surrounding Ram Navami celebrations at Shibpur in Howrah district on March 30 and 31.
Biman Ghosh sustained injuries to his head, following which he was admitted to the nearby Uttarpara State General Hospital.
Meanwhile, the local Muslims observing the month of Ramadan said that stones were pelted against them when they were preparing to break their fast, by those who took part in the Ram Navami rally.
West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, after an initial discussion with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has issued a statement claiming that the state government will take strong action against those involved in such unruly activities.
Claiming that the attack on the procession was pre-planned, Dilip Ghosh said it seems unlikely that the police did not have prior information about the attack on the procession. "The police should have been more careful," he said.
Trinamool Congress MLA from Serampore assembly constituency Sudipta Roy said that outsiders who participated in the procession resorted to the violence in a planned way to disturb peace in the area.
