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Restraint orders are in place in West Bengal's Hooghly district, where clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession, police said Monday. Internet services were also suspended in parts of the district until 10 p.m. Monday, they said. Two Ram Navami processions were staged in the Rishra police station area, with the second attacked near Wellington Jute Mill More on GT Road at around 6:15pm on Sunday, police said.
Some police officers were injured in the violence, they said.
BJP Vice President Dilip Ghosh, who was part of the second procession, told PTI that people were peacefully marching towards the Jagannath temple when stones were thrown at them.
Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh was injured, he said.
A senior official from the Chandannagar Police Station said: “The caravan was following a traditional route when a group started throwing stones at it. We immediately took steps to remedy the situation. No one has yet been arrested in connection with the violence, he said.
Security in the area has been reinforced to prevent new outbreaks.
"Police are conducting roadside marches and CrPC Section 144 restraining orders have been placed in Rishra Wards 1-5 and Serampore Ward 24. Internet services will remain suspended in parts of Rishra and Serampore until 10 p.m. Monday," he said.
Meanwhile, Governor CV Ananda Bose said those behind the violence will be jailed.
"Disbelievers, hooligans and thugs will be crushed with an iron fist. The mob cannot derail democracy. The state is determined to put an end to this arson and looting," he said.
Condemning the violence, state Industry Minister Shashi Panja alleged that the BJP was trying to destroy peace and tranquility in the state.
"The BJP is known for vandalizing public property and causing communal riots across the country," he said.
The state government will deal with the situation firmly and take necessary measures to punish the perpetrators, Panja said.
Trinamool Congress spokesman Joyprakash Majumdar also questioned the need to hold the processions two days after Ram Navami.
"Why are they so determined to eliminate Ram Navami processions during the holy month of Ramzan? The BJP wants to organize riots in Bengal to create instability for political purposes," he told PTI.
Majumdar claimed that some of the protesters were carrying weapons such as swords, causing people to panic.
Violence during Ram Navami celebrations rocked parts of the neighboring Howrah district on Thursday and Friday, leading to the arrest of 45 people.
