In the wake of the clashes broke out during the Ram Navami celebrations, West Bengal BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah requesting the intervention of central forces to maintain peace in Howrah. Sarkar also sought NIA inquiry in Howrah violence.
Home Minister Amit Shah's programmed scheduled to be held in Sasaram, Bihar was cancelled amid Section 144 imposed in the district. However, he will be addressing the public in Nawada on Sunday.
A clash broke out between two groups following the processions of Ram Navami in Howrah's Kazipara area. The incidents of violence including stone-pelting was reported on Friday as well. BJP and TMC entered a spat over the violence that erupted in different parts of the state.
BJP seeks NIA inquiry
"From Friday morning fresh incidents of stone-throwing and arson were reported...just hours after the road where the incident took place was opened up to traffic...It is very clear that the West Bengal government and the state administration are completely responsible for this violence to occur and presently the situation has become uncontrollable," said Sarkar in the letter.
"As a concerned citizen, as per the demand of the local people, I urge you to intervene and depoly central forces to bring the situation under control. The use of force may be necessary to restore law and order and protect the lives and properties of innocent civilans," read the letter.
"Furthermore I request the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to investigate the root cause of the riots and identify the instigators behind them," he wrote in the letter.
Not just in West Bengal, incidents of violence and arson was reported in various states including Gujarat, Hyderabad and Maharashtra during the Ram Navami festivities.
Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Saturday alleged that communal violence was on the BJP agenda with 2024 general elections approaching. He said that the incidents in West Bengal and Gujarat were a “trailer”.
“As we approach 2024. For the BJP, on the table: 1) communal violence 2) hate speech 3) baiting minorities 4) target opposition by use of ED, CBI, election commission. Trailer: Burning of Bengal, stoking communal violence in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat,” said Sibal in his tweet.
Clashes in Bihar
Police had arrested over 40 people in connection with the clash that broke out in Nalanda district of Bihar on Thursday. According to the police, around eight people were injured in the violence.
People pelted stones and vehicles were set ablaze by the mob. Section 144 was imposed in Bihar's Nalanda and also in Sasaram. Police had said that all the necessary measures are being taken to maintain peace and order in the area.
