After Howrah, clashes erupt in Hooghly; Internet suspended

The police said clashes broke out around 6 pm during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra area of Hooghly. Two Ram Navami processions were organised in the area, and the second one was targeted near Wellington Jute Mill More at GT Road around 6.15 pm, PTI quoted the police as saying.

There were reports of tyres being set on fire and vehicles being vandalised. Police sources said 12 people have been arrested so far.

BJP national vice-president and Medinipur MP Dilip Ghosh, who was taking part in the procession, said stones were pelted at them, leaving Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh injured. “I was there when stones were hurled at us. I have full faith in the police but they couldn’t do anything. Stones were thrown close to my car as well. The state government is taking no action even after the violence in Howrah. Vehicles are being vandalised,” said Ghosh, adding there were women and children in the procession. “Police managed to chase away the trouble makers after being silent spectators for a while,” he alleged.

CID team at Shibpur Howrah on Saturday, April 01, 2023, In connection with Ramnavmi day violence. (Express photo by Partha Paul.)

Heavy police deployment has been made in the area to prevent further flare-up, an officer said. “Police are doing route march, and prohibitory orders under CrPC section 144 have been imposed in Rishra wards 1-5 and Serampore’s ward 24. Internet services will remain suspended in parts of Rishra and Serampore till 10 pm on Monday,” PTI quoted a senior officer of Chandannagar Police Commissionerate as saying.

Governor Bose said those behind the violence will be “booked tonight itself and put behind bars”.

“The miscreants, hooligans, and thugs will be crushed with an iron hand. They will be made to curse the day they were born. Mobocracy cannot derail democracy. We are determined, the state is determined to put an end to this arson and looting,” he said.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, “Like in Howrah, what happened in Rishra was pre-planned by the BJP. In the name of Ram Navami, they are trying to disturb the peace everywhere.”