Clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession of the Bharatiya Janata Party in West Bengal's Hooghly district on Sunday evening, leading to stone pelting and arson. The fresh violence erupted two days after similar incidents were reported in Howrah and North Dinajpur during the Ram Navami processions on Thursday.
BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh, who participated the 'shobha yatra' on Sunday, told PTI that the incident happened on GT Road in Rishra police station area.
“People in the procession were walking peacefully to the Jagannath temple in Mahesh when stones were hurled at it,” he said.
"There were many women and children in the procession who were walking with saffron flags in their hands. Suddenly, stones were hurled at us from one side of the road. Several policemen were also injured in the stone-pelting even though I and some other leaders were rescued and taken out of the area through adjacent lanes," Ghosh further alleged.
Police said the situation is now under control and that a heavy police deployment has been made in the area to prevent any further flare-up.
The saffron party blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling Trinamool Congress for the fresh violence.
“After Howrah, Sreerampur is burning. Ramnavami Shobha Yatra attacked. This has Mamata Banerjee’s approval,” BJP leader Amit Malviya tweeted.
"BJP 'shobha yatra' was attacked in Hooghly. The reason is simple and clear. Mamata Banerjee hates Hindus," said West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar.
Also read
- West Bengal recruitment scam: Calcutta HC gives split verdict on former education minister's bail plea
- Getting information from intelligence agencies: Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Beldanga tensions
- West Bengal: Prohibitory orders imposed after clashes erupt in Murshidabad, internet suspended
- West Bengal sees 69.29% voter turnout till 5 pm in by-polls marred by sporadic violence
The TMC, however, hit back saying the clashes were pre-planned by the BJP.
“These people are trying to create unrest in the name of Ram Navami. We’re taking stock of the situation. BJP is watching who can create more ruckus - Dilip Ghosh or Sukanta Majumdar,” said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh.
The party also questioned what was the need to organise the procession two days after Ram Navami.
"Why are they so bent to take out Ram Navami processions during the holy month of Ramzan? Why the Ram Navami rally was taken out two days later? The BJP wants to engineer riots in Bengal to create instability for political gains," TMC spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar said.
