West Bengal: Clashes erupt again in Rishra, train services affected
Communal violence following Ram Navami celebrations continued on Monday, with new clashes reported in Hooghly district's Rishra in West Bengal. Several long-distance trains were delayed after stone pelting damaged railway property and train services on the Howrah-Bandel line were suspended for three hours before resuming after midnight. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) is now guarding the Rishra Railway Station area to prevent any escalation.
Why does this story matter?
The town witnessed a spate of violence a day before as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) took out Ram Navami processions two days after the occasion. Stones were pelted at the procession, which resulted in BJP MLA Biman Ghosh getting injured. Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blamed the BJP for instigating violence and demanding President's rule in the state.
Internet was suspended in Hooghly on Monday
Alleging indifference on the part of the TMC government, BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari tweeted that while "Rishra is burning," the state administration is enjoying a beach holiday in Digha. Internet remained suspended in Hooghly on Monday, coupled with prohibitory orders to foil disinformation campaigns aimed at stoking communal unrest. Meanwhile, Ghosh, who was hospitalized in the clash, wrote to the Centre seeking its intervention.
Administration enjoying beach holiday: Suvendu Adhikari
Who cast the first stone? Conflicting claims emerge
Opposing claims have surfaced regarding Sunday's incident. While those in the procession claim that they were attacked while crossing a mosque, the residents insist that the members of the procession hurled stones at the mosque first. The BJP has accused Banerjee of shielding rioters as a part of her "appeasement politics." Union Minister Smriti Irani asked, "How long will Mamata keep attacking Hindus?"
Several vehicles were set on fire in Howrah last week
In Howrah, a clash between two groups on Thursday snowballed into a riot in which several vehicles were set ablaze. The police conducted raids and arrested 35 people in the case. Banerjee alleged that the procession took an unauthorized route to attack a particular community and that BJP goons hired from other states had joined the procession to orchestrate a riot.
