Ram Navami violence: Court orders Bengal to submit CCTV footage

Kolkata: The Calcutta High Court sought the state government a comprehensive report on the March 30 Ramnavami violence at Shibpur in Howrah on Monday. The report, to be submitted by April 5, must also contain the steps taken to ensure peace in the area, PTI reports.

Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari filed a PIL seeking an NIA investigation into the violence, in which, according to his allegations, bombs were hurled. He requested central forces’ deployment in the area to ensure security.

Bengal, represented by Advocate General SN Mookherjee, submitted before the court that the situation is under control in Shibpur.

A division bench headed by Acting Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya directed the government to sile the CCTV and video footage regarding the violence.

The court further directed the police to ensure that the people in the area are not affected, as well as the school-going children and businesses are safeguarded. The police may deploy adequate security personnel to sustain peace in the area, the court stated.

The next hearing on the matter has been posted to April 6.

According to AG’s submission before the court, 36 people from two different groups were arrested in connection with the violence.

AG continued that on allegations of violence and breach of the peace at Dalkhola in Uttar Dinajpur district during the Ramnavami procession there on March 30, mentioned by the petitioner, the situation is under control. In Hoogly district’s Rishra, internet connection was suspended there, and prohibitory orders under section 144 of CrPC were invoked after violence happened on Sunday evening. The prohibitory orders continue there on Monday, AG added.