West Bengal: Hanuman Jayanti Processions Held Amid Tight Security Days After Ram Navami Violence

Multiple processions are being held in West Bengal on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti amid tight security. The processions are being held under police supervision.

Image used for Representational Purpose only.

Source : PTI

Multiple processions are being held in West Bengal on Thursday on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti amid tight security. The processions are being held under police supervision. This comes days after the violence that took place on the occassion of Ram Navami. Several vehicles were set on fire after two groups clashed in Howrah amid Ram Navami celebrations. During the procession, the rioters vandalised public and private properties and set vehicles on fire. 

हनुमान जयंती पर बंगाल में सुरक्षा सख्त, पुलिस की निगरानी में निकाली जा रही शोभा यात्रा #GroundReport | @manogyaloiwal #Howrah #HanumanJayanti #WestBengalhttps://t.co/qtd8TTLAdX

— ABP News (@ABPNews) April 6, 2023

Central police forces were deployed in parts of Kolkata, Hooghly and Barrackpore on Thursday to assist the state police in maintaining the law and order situation in view of Hanuman Jayanti celebrations, a senior police officer said, as reported by the news agency PTI. In Kolkata, the central troops were deployed in Amherst Street, Jorasanko, Park Circus, Kidderpore and Port areas, he said.

"A large number of officers of the Kolkata Police were accompanying the central forces in the sensitive areas of the city. They will also hold route marches as part of area domination measures. Strict action will be taken against any attempt to disrupt the law and order," the officer said, as quoted by PTI.

Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday issued an advisory to all states on the maintenance of law and order ahead of Hanuman Jayanti. The MHA advised the states to ensure peaceful observance of the festival and keep track of factors that could disturb communal harmony in society.

"MHA has issued an advisory to all states in preparation for Hanuman Jayanti. The governments are encouraged to ensure the maintenance of law and order, peaceful observance of the festival, and monitoring of any factors that could disturb communal harmony in society," the Home Minister's Office said in a statement, as quoted by the news agency ANI.

The development comes on the heels of clahes that erupted in West Bengal and neighbouring Bihar during Ram Navami celebrations. Incidents of violence, arson and stone pelting were reported in these two states around Ram Navami.  Ahead of Hanuman Jayanti, the acting Chief Justice Bench of the Calcutta High Court had also ordered the deployment of central force personnel in some sensitive areas of the state. The court directed the state to request the assistance of paramilitary forces in the interest of maintaining law and order.