Howrah Ram Navami clashes: Teen seen waving gun held in Bihar, family in disbelief

Howrah Police Commissioner Praveen Tripathi said, “Sumit Shaw was arrested in Munger last night. He was part of the Ram Navami procession in Shibpur.” The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is probing the violence involving incidents of clashes, arson and ransacking during the Ram Navami festivities.

An official said that during interrogation, the youth admitted to have carried a revolver with him during the procession. “We have handed him over to the CID,” the official added.

The Indian Express talked to the family that has been living in a 5×6 foot room for more than a decade now. Sumit’s mother Soma Shaw (38) said, “It is not his gun. He was just part of the Ram Navami rally. He knows how to drive and works as a helper with small trucks. That day, he was driving the vehicle that was fitted with a DJ system. He was told to take people from here to Shibpur. I even cautioned him that there were clashes in the area last year too but he did not pay heed.”

“Someone must have given him the gun and shot the video to make him a scapegoat. He was driving the vehicle carrying the DJ system,” she claimed.

Sumit’s grandmother Shanti Devi said, “We are poor people. Rs 200-300 a day matter a lot to us. He went there as he must have been promised some money. But see how things have turned out now. We would have seen a gun if he had one since ours is such a small house.”

Sumit left for Shibpur that day after he offered prayers at home, his family said. Even his two sisters accompanied him but they returned after seeing a massive crowd, they added.

People from far and wide were asked to come and gather in Howrah for the Ram Navami procession that was organised in Shibpur, nearly 3 kilometres from Sumit’s Salkia residence, it is learnt.

The police, however, said that Sumit carried the gun to the procession but they are yet to recover it. “We have interrogated him. He claims that someone had given him the weapon. He has shared the name of the person who according to him gave it to him. We are verifying the claim,” Police Commissioner Tripathi said.

Also, the family said that it was since one-and-half years that Sumit started meeting people associated with the BJP and would go and join them when asked to. “Sometimes he works as a conductor and at times as a driver,” his sister said.

Soma Shaw said, “We have two daughters. Both my in-laws are unwell. Sumit earns Rs 200-300 a day by taking up these small jobs. Six of us live in a room.”

BJP bringing people from outside: TMC

The ruling Trinamool Congress accused the BJP of bringing people from outside the state for the Ram Navami processions. “We have repeatedly said that the BJP brings people from outside (the state) for Ram Navami processions. The Howrah Police arrested a youth with a firearm from Munger. The accused has admitted that he participated in the procession and was carrying a gun. The BJP has been denying the fact. Let the CID investigate everything,” TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said.