Howrah Violence | Why Should People Suffer For 'BJP's Sin,' Asks CM Mamata Banerjee

Banerjee’s outburst came as fresh clash broke out between the police and a group of protesters at Panchla Bazaar in Howrah on Saturday.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee (File Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Launching a vitriolic attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the violence in Howrah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday 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.

Banerjee’s outburst came as fresh clash broke out between the police and a group of protesters at Panchla Bazaar in Howrah on Saturday.

The police used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd as the protesters pelted stones after yesterday’s violent protests over suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s controversial remarks.

Sec 144 of the CrPC has been imposed in and around the stretches of National Highways and Railway Stations under the jurisdiction of Uluberia-Sub Division.

Earlier in the day, BJP MP and party’s West Bengal vice-president Saumitra Khan wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to deploy central forces in the state in the wake of recent protests that led to the suspension of internet services and imposition of curfew in several areas of Howrah district.

The row over the remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated with protests from nations such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran.

This prompted the BJP to suspend party spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expel Naveen Jindal, former head of the party’s Delhi media unit, as the saffron party emphasized it respects all religions.