Forty persons have been arrested from Maheshtala in West Bengal in connection with Wednesday’s violence that left several police personnel injured.
Clashes broke out between a few locals at ward number 7 at Maheshtala on Wednesday afternoon over the setting up of a shop. It took a communal turn with some people alleging attack on a place of worship. The violence between two groups spiralled out of control with mobs throwing stones at the police personnel who tried to control the situation.
“Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area and the situation is under control,” Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General ( Law and Order) West Bengal Police, told The Hindu.
The State BJP accused the police of trying to “whitewash a communal attack”, and sought the deployment of Central forces. The ruling Trinamool Congress, in turn, accused the BJP of trying to incite communal passions.
The area where the violence broke out falls under the overlapping jurisdiction of the Kolkata Police and the West Bengal Police. Mr. Shamim said 28 persons were arrested by the West Bengal Police. Four of its personnel sustained injuries. Twelve persons were arrested by the city police. About a dozen personnel of the Kolkata Police, including a Deputy Commissioner, were injured in the violence. Seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence. All the arrests took place on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.
Police warning
“We urge all to keep calm and not indulge in rumour-mongering on social media. Those trying to trigger unrest will be sternly dealt with as per law,” the West Bengal Police posted on social media.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.
