Kolkata: In view of the violent clashes that erupted on Sunday night, the West Bengal Police on Monday imposed section 144 in the Ekbalpur area for two days. Clashes erupted between two communities in Mominpur area during which mob set vehicles ablaze and ransacked Ekbalpur police station. Videos shared on social media showed damage, destruction and chaos.
Reacting to the incident, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “the situation is very bad. Our state president was arrested without any reason. Section 144 has been imposed. Several members of Hindu community have left the area. Over 100 shops were looted and 30 bikes were set ablaze.”
Earlier, Adhikari had written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor La Ganesan requesting “urgent deployment of Central forces.”
The Hindu community has come under attack in the Khidirpore Mominpur area of Kolkata on the eve of Lakshmi Puja. Many shops and bikes belonging to Hindus have been vandalised by hooligans and anti socials,” Adhikari wrote.
“The onslaught has similarities to the Panchla violence which happened in June in the Uluberia area of the Howrah district. At that time the violence spread across West Bengal, especially in the Nadia and Murshidabad districts,” the letter read.
BJP alleges police inaction
Further, he alleged the West Bengal government is reluctant to act and has already surrendered in front of the goons.
“The State Government has already meekly surrendered in front of the wrath of the goons, who have taken over the Ekbalpur Police Station,” he added.
“So, I urge you to kindly intervene at this hour and deploy Central forces such as the CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces), so that the spark can be extinguished before it turns into a wildfire. The State Government seems to be unable to control the Law & Order, also they lack the appetite to do so as it affects their electoral prospects negatively,” Adhikari requested.
Later in the day, the West Bengal Police arrested West Bengal BJP Chief Sukanta Majumder and other party leaders.
Mominpur witnessed violence on Sunday night after religious flags put up in the area for the Milad-un-Nabi festival were allegedly torn up. Some police personnel were also reportedly injured. Security has been beefed up in the area.
