West Bengal: Clashes erupt again in Rishra, train services affected
What's the story
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.
Context
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.
Details
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.
Twitter Post
Administration enjoying beach holiday: Suvendu Adhikari
Stone pelting & bombing near Rishra Railway Station forced suspension of local & express train services on the Howrah-Bardhaman Line.
— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) April 3, 2023
After RPF's action train services now have been restored.
Rishra is burning & the entire State Administration is enjoying beach holiday in Digha. pic.twitter.com/fIQddv5pWW
Statements
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?"
Howrah
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.
Twitter Post
BJP's rioting formula: TMC's Abhishek Banerjee
BJP's DANGABAJI FORMULA at work again:
— Abhishek Banerjee (@abhishekaitc) March 31, 2023
🧨 Provoke & instigate communities against each other.
💣 Supply weapons to incite violence.
⚔️Create communal tension deliberately.
🤹🏼🎁 Reap political benefits.
A classic unholy blueprint right out of the @BJP4India playbook!👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/HKZ0BmIlCm