Bengal: Section 144 Imposed After Fresh Incidents Of Stone-pelting In Howrah

After a brief respite, tensions resumed on Friday afternoon (31 March) after fresh instances emerged of stone-throwing in the twin city of Howrah, West Bengal.

Police personnel deployed in Howrah's Kazipara area came under attack this time around, despite the presence of a large police contingent in the area meant to restore peace.

The police had to use batons to clear the crowd that had gathered there.

At least three policemen were injured in the clashes and are undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital, a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer told PTI.

It led to prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in Kazipara area, the officer said.

A team from the Rapid Action Force of Kolkata police were doing the rounds after the stone-pelting incidents of the afternoon.

Howrah was witness to violence only the day before, on Thursday (30 March), over a Ram Navami procession.

Several vehicles, including some belonging to the police, were torched and shops and auto-rickshaws ransacked during the violence.

A Howrah resident who was part of the procession reported that stones were thrown from the rooftops, causing fear and prompting them to leave the area.

Since then, 45 people are said to have been arrested.

The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has held the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responsible.

In a statement, she accused the BJP of constantly attempting to ignite communal violence, including now in Howrah — "It is the only thing they are good at."

Leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari blamed Banerjee for the disruption.

He has filed a public interest litigation Friday (31 March) in the Calcutta High Court pertaining to the incidents of violence on the Ram Navami processions in Howrah and Dalkhola.

"I have prayed for NIA probe and immediate deployment of Central Forces in such areas for containing the situation and restoration of Law and Order situation as well as for saving innocent lives," Adhikari said in a tweet.