Prophet Row: Violence & Arson In Bengal, Protesters Block Roads. Governor Appeals For Peace

As a precautionary measure, the state government suspended internet services in the entire district till 6 am on Monday.

Various Islamic organisations and Muslim people in a protest rally against Nupur Sharma over her remarks on the Prophet Mohammed (Source: Getty)

New Delhi: The matter of controversial remarks made by Nupur Sharma against Prophet Mohammad is continuously gaining momentum. Protests are taking place across the country over the controversial remark. In West Bengal, protesters demonstrated at Changel station on the Howrah-Kharagpur route of South Eastern Railway. Due to this the service of South Eastern Railway has stopped completely. Amid the deteriorating law and order situation in the state from Thursday, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has appealed for harmony and sought an urgent update on the law and order situation from the state's chief secretary.

While appealing for peace, WB Guv Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought urgent personal update from CS @chief_west by 10 PM today over worsening law & order situation in State since yesterday.

Expect CM Smt. Mamata Banerjee to sternly warn law violators- they will not be spared. pic.twitter.com/Diq910aeP1

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) June 10, 2022

As a precautionary measure, the state government suspended internet services in the entire district till 6 am on Monday.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had issued an advisory in view of the tension after the remarks made by Nupur. In Uluberia, Howrah, the police lathi-charged the protesters on the number 16 national highway number.

In Dhulagarh, Howrah, some vehicles have been vandalised by the protesters, while there is a clash with the police. Several rounds of tear gas have been fired by the police. Stones were also pelted by targeting the police. Apart from this, there has also been a clash of police with the protesters at Salap Mor of Howrah. In both places, the police have fired tear gas shells.

"The two saffron party leaders should be immediately arrested for their remarks that have hurt religious sentiments," one of the protesters said.

"The situation is now under control. We have made several arrests. There have been reports of injuries and damage to property, arson and violence. We have started an investigation," he said.

The BJP, however, criticised the Trinamool Congress for its "failure" to maintain the law and order situation in the state.

"An important stretch of road was blocked for more than 11 hours, and the police are mute spectators. Today also, there are reports of protests in various parts of the state, but the police have taken no action. The law and order situation has gone for a toss.

"If the BJP takes out a protest rally, our workers are beaten up and arrested, but in this case, no action has been taken," Senior BJP leader and chief whip in the state assembly Manoj Tigga said.

(With PTI inputs)