Bengal: Fresh violence in Hooghly's Rishra post Ram Navami clashes, railway properties targeted
Kolkata/IBNS: A day after a clash over Ram Navami procession, violence broke out at Rishra in West Bengal's Hooghly district late last night, media reports said.
Railway properties were targeted and train services were affected, reports said.
The train services resumed post midnight.
Section 144 has been imposed and internet connection has been snapped in the area.
Slamming the state administration, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari tweeted, "Stone pelting & bombing near Rishra Railway Station forced suspension of local & express train services on the Howrah-Bardhaman Line.
"After RPF's action train services now have been restored. Rishra is burning & the entire State Administration is enjoying beach holiday in Digha."
"Why incidents of bombing & arson today? Nobody took out any Procession today. The State Govt claimed "Alls Well". This Govt has totally failed in maintaining Law & Order. Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces is the only solution to protect the peace loving people of WB," the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA added.
Why incidents of bombing & arson today? Nobody took out any Procession today.
— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) April 3, 2023
The State Govt claimed "Alls Well".
This Govt has totally failed in maintaining Law & Order. Deployment of Central Armed Police Forces is the only solution to protect the peace loving people of WB. pic.twitter.com/nPyRbJP1hr
Howrah and Hooghly, the two neighbouring districts of Kolkata, were on boil over the Ram Navami processions carried by the BJP.
Two groups clashed, several vehicles were set on fire and public properties destroyed in Howrah last Thursday.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee slammed the BJP for allegedly changing the procession route and creating violence, something which has been trashed by the saffron camp.
Suvendu accused the governing Trinamool Congress of using riots to consolidate the "minority votes" post the party's defeat in Muslim-dominated Sagardighi bypoll.
Violence broke out in Hooghly on Sunday over the procession.
BJP MLA Biman Ghosh was among the injured.