Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, June 11: As violence over remarks against Prophet Mohammad by two suspended BJP leaders continued, two people were killed and about 20 others were injured, three of them critically, in group clashes in Jharkhand’s capital city of Ranchi on Saturday.
In neighbouring West Bengal, the state BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was arrested by the police on Saturday morning for allegedly inciting violence following protests over comments against Prophet Mohammad which continued unabated for the second day on Saturday in Howrah district.
Authorities at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi, confirmed that two people brought to the hospital after the protesters clashed with police have succumbed to their injuries. Among the 22 injured, 10 are policemen and the others protesters. Three of the injured are in critical condition, the hospital authorities said.
City police chief Anshuman Kumar confirmed that two people died of gunshot injuries. “Eight rioters and four policemen have been injured. They are being treated at RIMS and other hospitals. We will first identity those involved in the violence, question them and then arrest them,” he said. “The situation is under control. Restrictions are in place in the affected areas,” he added.
Several parts of the Jharkhand capital were put under curfew after protesters clashed with police following violence after the Friday Namaaz yesterday. The district administration has said internet connectivity has been blocked in the area till Sunday.
The protesters demanded the arrest of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma, whose remarks on Prophet Muhammad have kicked up a storm. Police fired in the air and took to lathi-charge on Friday to control the mob after they started throwing stones.
A large crowd had gathered on Ranchi’s Main Road and raised slogans against Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP’s media unit who was expelled by the party over remarks insulting the Prophet. Heavy force has been deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident. Many shops in the city also remained closed to protest against the remarks.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has appealed for peace. “I suddenly received information about this worrisome (protest) incident… people of Jharkhand have always been very sensitive and tolerant… no need to panic. I appeal to everyone to maintain harmony and refrain from participating in any activities that will lead to more such crimes,” he told the media.
Besides, Ranchi, violence had also erupted in several other cities across at least nine states which witnessed huge protests over the BJP leader’s remarks. West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar was arrested on Saturday while he was on the way to State’s Howrah district which had witnessed violence since Thursday. The police tried to prevent the BJP leader from visiting Howrah but he was insistent in reaching areas that witnessed violence over the past two days. The police stopped the BJP leader’s convoy near the toll plaza on Vivenkananda Setu, arrested him and took him to Lalbazar Police headquarters in a police vehicle.
Earlier in the day, there was a scuffle between BJP supporters and West Bengal police as they prevented the State BJP president from leaving his residence in Kolkata’s New Town area. Majumdar had said the police was trying to put him under house arrest. Soon after the arrest, BJP supporters under the leadership of MLA Agnimitra Paul and Priyanka Tibrewal gathered outside Lalbajar Police Headquarters.
While the situation on Saturday morning remained under control with no major incidents of violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said there were attempts by some political parties to incite riots. “Violent incidents have been taking place in Howrah for two days now. There are some political parties behind this and they want to incite riots; but these will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against all of them. Why should people suffer for BJP’s sin?” she asked.
Internet services remained suspended and prohibitory orders were imposed on Saturday in large parts of West Bengal’s Howrah district after two days of violent protests. The Chief Minister had on Thursday appealed for calm and demanded the arrest of the suspended BJP spokespersons on the issue of offensive remarks. She had also told protesters that there was no reason to hold protests in West Bengal. “If you want to protest, go to Delhi,” she had told the protesters.
Along with road and railway blockades for hours, violence was reported in parts of Uluberia Subdivision in Howrah on June 9 and 10. Several vehicles and motorbikes including those belong to police were attacked and set on fire. Police burst tear gas shells to disperse the protesters after stones were thrown at them. The administration has imposed prohibitory orders in the area till Wednesday. Internet has been suspended across the district till Monday, officials said. Earlier, on Thursday, protesters had put up road blockades at several places in Howrah.
Clashes had also broken out in several towns in Uttar Pradesh with over 200 people arrested in this connection. Prohibitory orders have now been clamped in several areas in the country to prevent any untoward incident.