NEW DELHI, Mar 30: Several vehicles were set on fire and stones pelted following clashes between two groups over in Ram Navami celebrations in Kolkata’s Howrah locality on Thursday.
The violence broke out soon after a Ram Navami procession crossed the area. Visuals showed several vehicles engulfed in flames and a heavy police deployment – including riot control force – in the area. A police van and a car with their glasses smashed were also seen in the videos from the spot. Police fired tear gas shells and also chased the rioters away.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a two-day sit-in protest in Kolkata against Centre’s policies, called “rioters the enemy of the country”. “Be cautious of your actions,” she warned.
On Monday, the BJP had slammed the Trinamool Congress for announcing protests on March 30, the day of Ram Navami celebrations. Suvendhu Adhikari, the BJP’s leader in the state assembly, said those who believe in the “sanatan culture” will celebrate Ram’s birth anniversary. Instead of declaring a holiday on the day, she has announced protests after making “fabricated and false” claims, he alleged.
Earlier in the day, Mamata Banerjee urged devotees to take out processions “peacefully.” “I want to request that those who are taking out processions for Ram Navami today, please do but do it peacefully. Celebrate peacefully and don’t try to create violence. Don’t get provoked,” Ms Banerjee said from the stage on Day 2 of the dharna organised by her party.
The Trinamool chief began her protest in front of Dr BR Ambedkar’s statue on Red Road area in the Bengal’s capital city yesterday to protest against the Centre’s alleged “stoppage” of funds to the state for MGNREGA and other schemes of the housing and road departments.
Meanwhile, some stray violence was also reported from Fatehpura locality in Vadodara city in Gujarat on the occasion of Ram Navami. Some vehicles were damaged in the clashes but there was no report of any injury to anyone, police said. The Ram Navami procession passed along its planned route under police protection, Deputy Commissioner of Police Yashpal Jaganiya said.
(Manas Dasgupta)
