Provoking, indulging in violence will invite strict action: West Bengal CM

SERAMPORE/BARUIPUR/MALDA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday reacted sharply to reports of communal violence over Covid-19 in pockets of West Bengal and said “strong action will be taken” against both perpetrators and provocateurs of violence under Disaster Management Act for violating lockdown norms.
Violence was reported from Telenipara in Hooghly, Harishchandrapur in Malda and Subhashgram in South 24 Parganas in which 55 people were arrested till reports last came in.
“I have asked police to act strongly against anyone found indulging in violence and violating lockdown norms. The provocateurs will also be booked,” the CM said. “I leave it to people to decide on those politicians whose statements on Twitter, Facebook or Fakebook are instigating these incidents. Is there Hindu-Muslim in Covid?” she added.
Banerjee’s statements came in the backdrop of Hooghly MP Locket Chatterjee meeting governor Jagdeep Dhankhar and Malda North MP Khagen Murmu alleging he was stopped from entering violence-hit zones in Malda. Police said CrPc Section 144 had been imposed in places where the MPs tried to enter when stopped.
Dhankar later tweeted: “Concerned at incidents at Telinipara in Hooghly Dist. and at Chandipur in Malda Dist — appeal people to observe utmost restraint and maintain communal harmony. Police and administration to be extremely watchful to contain situation.”
Telenipara flared up again on Tuesday, the second time in two days, after locals hurled bombs and bricks, allegedly from rooftops, that damaged police vehicles and set ablaze houses and shops. From 12.30pm, violence rocked a vast stretch extending from Burudewantala, Ferry Ghat Street, Segunbagan, Raja Bazar and Gate Bazar to Babu Bazar. As many as 33 people were arrested in this connection.
“The situation is under control. We have arrested 33 accused. Raids are on,” said Chandannagore police commissioner Humayun Kabir, who led a team to Telenipara that had to resort to lathicharge to disperse the mob. The situation calmed after 5pm.
Also on the boil was Malda’s Harishchandrapur, where prohibitory orders were clamped and four persons arrested. Trouble erupted there on Sunday when police had tried to book some people for lockdown violation. This led to brickbatting and violence until police rushed reinforcements to control the situation.
In South 24 Parganas’ Subhashgram, trouble erupted after a Baruipur police team tried to probe an incident of alleged lockdown violation. Locals first resisted them and later threw brickbats. Sub-inspector Dhananjay Mukherjee and four civic volunteers were injured. Police rushed additional forces and arrested 18 people. “The situation is now under control,” Baruipur inspector-in-charge Debkumar Ray said.
The home department said in a statement that “police will not allow any provocation and strict action will be taken against anyone who tries to create disturbance, including those who are posting and circulating false information”.