There have been reports of fresh clashes between protesters and police in West Bengal’s Howrah district, when a movement by a group of people over the remarks of two BJP leaders on Prophet Muhammad turned violent for the second consecutive day today.
Police fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters after they pelted stones at protesters during violence in Panchla Bazar area of Howrah district, news agency ANI reported. Officials said that the administration has imposed prohibitory orders till June 15. Internet services were also suspended in the district till June 13.
Targeting BJP Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee He said some political parties want to incite riots and questioned why people should suffer for the “sins” of the BJP.
“I have said this earlier also. For two days now, normal life has been disrupted in Howrah and incidents of violence have been carried out. There are some political parties behind this and they want to incite riots. But it will not be tolerated. More strict action will be taken. BJP has committed a sin, and people will have to suffer?”
Protests have been taking place in Howrah since yesterday demanding the arrest of now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and the party’s former Delhi media chief Naveen Kumar Jindal (now expelled) for controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad.
Unite Against Hate!
We urge citizens across the state not to spread or spread fake news that incites any violence. Please report them to WBP.
Currently, Section 144 has been imposed in the city and internet services have been suspended till 6 am on Monday. #SayNoToHatred#SayNoToFakeNewspic.twitter.com/oiNU2KKEpc
— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) 11 June 2022
On Friday, hundreds of protesters blocked roads and railway tracks in different parts of Howrah district and clashed with police personnel as they tried to lift the blockade on the national highway.
Police had to lathi-charge to disperse the crowd in Dhulagarh and Panchla, where protesters pelted stones in retaliation, damaging nearby cars, news agency PTI quoted an official as saying.
The protesters also blocked railway tracks at Chengail, Phuleshwar and Santragachi stations of Howrah-Kharagpur section from 1.22 pm onwards, a South Eastern Railway official said.
He said four trains have been cancelled, while two have been diverted due to agitation. A similar protest took place on Thursday as well, in which agitators blocked traffic for nearly 11 hours at Ankurhati in Howrah district, officials said.
BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal’s controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad have angered Muslims in India and abroad.
Protests have erupted in many parts of the country with agitators demanding the arrest of BJP leaders for their controversial remarks.
Several West Asian countries demanded a public apology, summoned Indian envoys and called for a boycott of Indian products. The government tried to quell the controversy and called the remarks “views of vulgar elements”.