Explained: What Exactly Led To The Violence In West Bengal's Telinipara
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said no one involved in the Telinipara clashes would be spared and stern action would be taken against the guilty.
Kolkata: Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in the clash-hit areas of Telinipara, Chandannagar and Sreerampore were withdrawn by the administration on Friday as the situation had improved considerably. Internet services have also been restored in parts of the Hoogly district, reports said. Devotees offered the Friday namaz in the district, maintaining lockdown protocol, Chandannagar Police Commissioner Humayun Kabir told news agency PTI.
What exactly happened in Telinipara?
Clashes had erupted in Telinipara in Bhadreswar in the district of Hooghly on Sunday. Several shops were ransacked during a clash between two groups in Victoria Jute Mill area in Telinipara on Sunday night. The two groups also hurled bombs at each other, injuring many from both the groups. They also set shops on fire on Monday morning, as the disorder continued. The ruling party of the state, TMC, alleged that it is a political conspiracy to create communal disorder in the area.
No communal violence in the past
Telinipara of Bhadreswar in Hooghly is adjacent to the Ganges and known to be an industrial belt where a number of jute mills can be seen. It was once famous for its jute industry. North 24 Parganas is situated on the opposite part of the Ganges. People of many communities live in Telinipara and no major communal disorder in the area has been heard earlier. According to some reports, clashes had erupted after members of a community were allegedly taunted as "corona" by some people belonging to another group.
What are political parties saying?
Chief Minister of West Bengal, Smt. Mamata Banerjee accused that it was a political conspiracy against her administration. Later the state Home Department said that some people were "trying to spread the communal virus to further their political interests". BJP MP of Hooghly constituency Locket Chatterjee along with BJP MP of Barrackpore constituency, Arjun Singh tried to go at Telinipara after the clashes. They alleged that they were barred by police to go to Telinipara. They also alleged police was acting in a biased way at the behest of the ruling party and administration. They held a sit-in demonstration in front of the police station few days ago. On Friday, TMC’s local MLA and minister of the state Indranil Sen along with Dilip Yadav, TMC Hooghly district president visited Bhadreswar Municipality and Chandannagore Police Station. BJP leaders alleged and questioned how the leaders from the ruling party were given permission to go to Telinipara while they were barred.
Steps taken by administration
A total of 129 people have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in clashes, the state Home Department said on Thursday. "Strong action has been taken against miscreants in Telinipara, Hooghly. 129 persons have so far been arrested and more will be arrested. Senior officers along with a large number of forces are patrolling the area round the clock," the Home Department tweeted. Internet services have been suspended in the area since Tuesday evening and the suspension will continue till the evening of May 17. Section 144 of the CrPC had also been imposed in Telinipara and its adjoining areas and the inspector-in-charge of the local police station was removed for failing to control the situation, sources said. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had said no one involved in the clashes will be spared and stern action will be taken against the miscreants. To prevent rumour spreading fast and vitiate the atmosphere, administration clamped ban on internet service for indefinite period of time.
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