Rapid Action Force personnel patrol the area to maintain law and order after violence broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah on March 31. Photo Credit: ANI
“Situation in Kazipara area of Howrah district, which was observed Clashes between two groups during the procession on Ram Navamipeaceful and under control on April 1 even as the prohibitory order was still in force in the area,” said an official.
Shops and markets opened as traffic started moving since morning amid heavy police deployment in the area, the official said. Internet connection was still down, while prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC were still in force in and around the area, where several shops and houses were vandalized during the clashes, he said. “The probe into the clashes is with the state CID,” the official said.
“The situation is under control and peaceful. Life is returning to normalcy. However, we continue to deploy police there to monitor the situation. Internet connectivity will remain suspended for the time being as part of our security measures.” The CID has taken over the investigation into the clashes.” PTI,
Meanwhile, the police continued raids throughout the Friday-Saturday night and arrested a few more people for their alleged involvement in the vandalism.
“We will verify their involvement from the video footage recovered from the spot that day. If found guilty, they will be dealt with as per the law,” he added. A clash broke out between two groups while taking out a Ram Navami procession from Kajipara in Howrah city on Thursday evening.
Several shops were vandalized while several cars, including some police vehicles, were torched during the violence. The area witnessed fresh incidents of stone-pelting by locals on police on Friday afternoon, following which prohibitory orders were imposed in the area and internet services snapped.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on March 31 alleged that the BJP and other right-wing organizations were behind the violence during a procession on Ram Navami in Howrah’s Kajipara area. The BJP denied Ms Banerjee’s allegations and instead demanded an NIA probe into the matter.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose on Friday regarding the violence during the Ram Navami procession in Howrah and took stock of the situation. Shri Shah also spoke to BJP State President Sukant Mazumdar in this regard.