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Journalism of Courage
This is an archive article published on November 17, 2024
Bengal: ‘Objectionable’ message sparks clash, 15 held in Murshidabad
The BJP, while claiming that the miscreants “belonged to a certain group", accused the ruling TMC of “inaction”.
Police eventually resorted to lathi charge to disperse the mob while the district administration imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), a provision that prohibits gathering of more than five people. (@BJP4Bengal/X)
A TOTAL of 15 people were arrested after two groups clashed over an “objectionable” message on a digital display board at a temporary gate at Beldanga in Murshidabad on Saturday, prompting the authorities to clamp prohibitory orders in the area, police said Sunday. Internet services were suspended in the affected area, police said.
A few people suffered minor injuries during the clash that occurred after the message on the display board on a gate set up near a Kartik Puja pandal was spotted by members of one of the groups, a police officer said.
The BJP, while claiming that the miscreants “belonged to a certain group”, accused the ruling TMC of “inaction”.
The TMC, however, said on Sunday that the situation is “under control now” and urged the BJP not to play “divisive, communal” politics.
The trouble began Saturday evening when a group assembled near the pandal and flagged an “objectionable” message. As another group gathered, both sides pelted stones at each other, a police officer said.
A police vehicle was also targeted, prompting the personnel to resort to lathi-charge.
While the situation was under control on Sunday, the police and Rapid Action Force personnel patrolled different pockets.
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A senior police officer said prohibitory orders under BNS Section 163 have been promulgated in Beldanga, Kazisaha and Begurban areas while Internet services were suspended. The Murshidabad town-bound Bhagirathi Express from Sealdah was stranded for over three hours.
Accusing the state government of “inaction”, BJP state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged in a post on X: “The state administration has failed to protect people as miscreants… have let loose a reign of anarchy in the entire area. Is this part of a deeper plan to turn West Bengal into Bangladesh?”
A senior TMC leader said Sunday, “The administration is taking every step to identify the miscreants and bring all of them to book.” —PTI Inputs
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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