New Delhi: Amid protests in several parts of Howrah district over the controversial remarks by suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal on Prophet Mohammad, the West Bengal government on Saturday suspended internet services in Beldanga and Murshidabad till 6 a.m. on June 14 to stop rumours and prevent unlawful activities, PTI reported.


Howrah Violence Over Prophet Remarks | Top Developments



  • A clampdown is already in force in Howrah district following the violence. Internet services have been suspended in entire Howrah district till June 13. Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) has been imposed in several areas such as Uluberia, Domjur and Panchla till June 15.

  • Internet services, as per an order, have been suspended in Beldanga 1 block covering Beldanga Police Station area and Beldanga 2 block covering Rejinagar and Shaktipur Police Station areas till 6 a.m. on June 14.

  • Fresh violence was reported in Panchla Bazaar area in Howrah district on Saturday as the protesters clashed with the police personnel and several houses were set on fire. The agitators pelted policemen with stones, injuring some of them, and also vandalised a BJP party office.

  • Several fire tenders were pressed into service as police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the protesters, the news agency reported an officer as saying. The officer added that the situation was “under control” at the moment.

  • West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government on Saturday effected a police reshuffle in Howrah district. An order stated these appointments have been “initiated in the interest of public service”.

  • The state administration, as per an order, named Praveen Tripathi the Additional CP of Kolkata Police, the new Commissioner of Police of Howrah City.

  • Swathi Bhangalia, DCP (South West) of Kolkata Police, has been made the new SP of Howrah (Rural).

  • Howrah City Commissioner of Police C. Sudhakar was made the Joint CP of Kolkata Police while Howrah (Rural) SP Saumya Roy was made the DCP (South West) of Kolkata Police.

  • The decision in this regard was taken during an emergency meeting held in the state secretariat over the current situation in Howrah district.

  • Earlier in the day, the West Bengal Chief Minister lashed out at the BJP over the violence in Howrah. Banerjee asked why should the common people suffer because of the “sin” committed by the saffron party, news agency PTI reported. Alleging some political parties are behind the Howrah violence, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo said strict action will be taken against those trying to instigate riots.