A BJP central team was stopped by West Bengal police from entering the violence-hit area in Dhulagarh in Howrah district on Saturday after which it staged a road blockade, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of pursuing “appeasement politics”.
Tension erupted in Dhulagarh when two groups reportedly clashed as a procession was brought out in the area last week.
The police, which cordoned off the area and deployed a large number of personnel, told the delegation that they would not be allowed to proceed since prohibitory orders have been imposed under Section 144 of CrPC.
Violent Clashes Erupted Following Milad-ul-Nabi Celebrations
On 13 December, clashes between two communities erupted following the Milad-ul-Nabi celebrations in Dhulagarh.
Though there hasn’t been much coverage of the incident, reports say that an angry mob started the violence after they weren’t allowed to carry out a procession of Milad-ul-Nabi celebrations in the area.
Locals in the village alleged that ‘unprovoked’ clashes erupted after the mob in the procession started charging bombs at the houses. However, members in the procession allege that they were prevented from taking out the procession, which led to the violent clashes, reported DNA.
Local residents claim that they had to flee with their children and elderly as soon as the mob hurled country-made bombs at their houses. Later, the mob allegedly looted the houses and fled with the money and jewellery, later setting it on fire.
As per a senior officer at the Howrah Commissionerate, police had to use tear gas to bring the situation under control when the groups hurled bombs at each other.
BJP Alleges TMC Has Targeted Hindus
The BJP delegation comprising party MPs Jagdambika Pal, Satpal Singh, state president Dilip Ghosh and its national secretary Rahul Sinha, along with supporters, was stopped at Ekabbarapur Road, about one kilometre away from the spot where the clashes had taken place a few days ago.
Angered by this, the BJP delegation along with a thousand-odd supporters blocked the road in protest.
Alleging that there is no law and order in the state, Pal said the government was following "appeasement politics towards a particular community".
He also alleged that the government had transferred the Howrah (Rural) Superintendent of Police Sabyasachi Raman Mishra for arresting 65 people in connection with the violence at Dhulagarh, where houses belonging to a community and their property were attacked by another.
Ghosh alleged right wing Muslim outfits and SIMI activists have entered the area and were creating trouble. He also said BJP was not given prior information about prohibitory orders being imposed in Dhulagarh.
We are surprised that police did not allow us to approach the people in the area to know about their plight of sufferings.Dilip Ghosh, BJP State President
The blockade was later lifted and Ghosh said the BJP delegation would proceed to Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum to Governor K N Tripathi.
BJP has alleged that the minority wing of the ruling Trinamool Congress has targeted Hindus in the area in Howrah district for their support to the saffron party.
"The governor asked the DGP to ensure peace and law and order in the area and to take strict action against the culprits," a release issued by the Raj Bhavan had said.
(With inputs from PTI and DNA)
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