New Delhi. Incidents of violence once again came to light during Ram Navami celebrations in West Bengal. Clashes broke out during a Ram Navami procession in Murshidabad on Wednesday (April 17), in which several people were injured. Stones were allegedly pelted at the procession in Shaktipur area of Murshidabad, resulting in at least 20 people being injured. A woman was injured in an explosion that occurred during the Ram Navami procession in Shaktipur on Wednesday evening.
BJP has criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee government regarding this incident. The party claimed that the police, like last year, failed to provide security to devotees during the Ram Navami festival this year, leading to incidents of stone pelting at places like Dalakhola, Rishra and Serampore. This year, despite the permission of the administration, the peaceful Ram Navami procession in Shaktipur was attacked by miscreants.
Stones thrown from rooftops at Ram Navami procession
According to India Today report, the stone pelting incident took place in Shaktipur area of Murshidabad on Wednesday evening during the passage of the procession. In the video of the incident, people are seen throwing stones from the rooftops. The crowd became furious after stone pelting, following which the police had to resort to lathicharge and tear gas to control the situation.
Police said the situation has been brought under control and additional forces have been deployed at the spot to maintain peace. People injured in stone pelting have been admitted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital in Behrampur. An Indian Express report quoted a police officer as confirming that at least 20 people were injured in the stone pelting incident and were admitted to hospital.
Explosion during Ram Navami procession
According to PTI news agency, an explosion took place during the Ram Navami procession in Shaktipur, Murshidabad on Wednesday evening, injuring a woman. A police officer said the blast occurred in the evening, injuring a woman who was admitted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital. However, it is not clear whether the explosion was caused by a bomb or some other reason.
BJP accused the police of supporting the miscreants
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari alleged stone pelting and vandalism of shops during the procession. He said, “Permission was taken from the administration for a peaceful Ram Navami procession, but miscreants attacked in Shaktipur and Beldanga-2 blocks of Murshidabad.” The officer further said, “The shocking thing is that this time Mamata’s police She was seen supporting the miscreants in this horrific attack and released tear gas shells on Ram devotees. This was done to ensure that the procession ended immediately.”