INCIDENTS OF COMMUNAL VIOLENCE IN WEST BENGAL IN 2016

Kaliachak: Comments made by Hindu Mahasabha leader Kamlesh Tiwari against Prophet Muhammad on December 2, 2015, sparked a riot. Protesters set about two dozen vehicles on fire, attacked the Kaliachak police station and torched several homes in the area. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee insisted that the violence was not due to a communal conflict but a clash between the Border Security Force and locals.

Ilambazar: An abusive Facebook post against Prophet Muhammad caused a riot in March. A police station was damaged, one person died and three were critically injured in the conflict between police and the Muslim community.

Hazinagar: In October, a Muharram procession and a group going to submerge a Durga idol crossed paths. An eyewitness said: “There were clashes at a market and several shops were ransacked by a mob. A bike was set on fire and people hurled burning tires at each other. There were also stone-pelting and bomb explosions.” The clash left several people injured; homes, shops and four vehicles were either ransacked or set on fire.

Dhulagarh: A procession celebrating Prophet Muhammad’s birth anniversary caused tension, which was controlled by the police. But violence recurred the next day. Homes were set on fire and shops looted. The police said mobs were carrying bombs and they had to use tear gas shells. Twenty five people were arrested.

Jalangi: Rumours of beef being found in a temple led to communal tensions.

West Midnapore: Two communities clashed in the Gola Bazar area of Kharagpur on Dashami, leading to imposition of curfew. The incident took place when an effigy of Ravana was being prepared to be set on fire and a Muharram procession was passing through the area.