Bengal Ram Navami Violence: Home Minister Amit Shah Dials Bengal Governor, State BJP Chief

During the phone call, the home minister inquired about the state's current status, particularly in the violent parts of Howrah.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah. ( Image Source :PTI )

Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke with Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and state BJP chairman Sukanta Majumdar over the Ram Navami violence in Howrah, news agency ANI reported.

During the phone call, the home minister inquired about the state's current status, particularly in the violent parts of Howrah.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has spoken to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and took stock of the situation in Howrah where violence broke out.

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/1Ffap3p4uu

— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2023

As a mob went on a rampage, burning automobiles, hurling stones, and ransacking stores, a substantial police detachment was deployed in the area on Thursday. Numerous police cars were also damaged as a result of the event.

The governor is said to have told Shah about the violence and the current situation. West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose will be visiting the violence-torn locality of Shibpur in Howrah today to assess the situation.

Throughout the night, searches and raids were undertaken in several areas near Kazipara, the scene of the turmoil, and 36 persons have been detained in connection with the fight. While the district remained mainly tranquil today, a new episode of violence was reported from Shibpur neighbourhood, hours after the route where the incident occurred reopened to traffic.

The tragedy has prompted a political row in the state, with the Trinamool Congress and the BJP accusing each other of being responsible for the violence.

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who promised harsh action against those responsible, accused the BJP of attempting to incite communal tensions during the parade. She said that the BJP recruited thugs from other states to plan communal violence.

"Why did they change the route and take the unauthorised route to target and attack one community? If they believe they will attack others and receive relief through legal interventions, they must know that the people will reject them one day," she said.

Locket Chatterjee, a BJP MP, claimed that "Hindus in Bengal are under attack" and accused Banerjee, the state's Home Minister, of appeasement tactics.