KOLKATA – Some areas in West Bengal’s Howrah district on Thursday turned into mini battlefields after clashes broke out between two groups of people over a Ram Navami procession.
An organisation, Anjani Putra Sena, took out a procession at Sandhyabazar area of Shibpur on the occasion of Ram Navami. Clashes broke out following which a number of vehicles, including some belonging to the police, were set afire.
The procession organisers, meanwhile, claimed they had the police permission to take out the march.
The police, however, have maintained a silence on the matter, including the number of arrests, so far.
The situation is said to be under control, and as per sources, at least 15 people, including some police personnel, were injured in the clashes.
However, barring this incident, the situation was overall peaceful in the remaining areas in the state.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was on a sit-in agitation in Kolkata, said it is unfortunate that despite her appeal for a peaceful rally, an incident in Howrah took place.
“The rioters always target Howrah. They are the enemies of the people of the country,” she said, and warned that the administration and police will take strong action against the offenders. -IANS