Mob attacks train in West Bengal; over 100 arrested

KOLKATA: Fresh violence erupted in pockets of West Bengal on Sunday as protesters continued to stage demonstrations and also attacked and damaged a local train, over recent comments by BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammed.

More than 100 people from across the state have been arrested so far in connection with the violence which broke out on Friday, police said.

In Nadia district, a group of protesters who took out a procession at Bethuadahari, pelted stones and damaged a train at a local railway station.

Eklavya Chakraborty, chief public relations officer of Eastern Railway, said a few people were injured in the incident. “Train services had to be stopped after stones were pelted at RanaghatLalgola passenger train in Bethuadahari station. A few people, including a journalist, were injured. The down Hazarduari Express had to be stopped at Dhubulia station in view of the violence,” Chakraborty said.

Nadia police did not comment on the attack and violence. However, a local police officer on condition of anonymity said the protesters also damaged a number of shops during stone pelting. Trouble was also reported from Haringhata area as a large crowd broke through barricades when a similar procession was stopped.

Incidents of arson and attack on some houses were reported at Shaktipur in Murshidabad district where internet services remained suspended in some areas since Friday. The officer-incharge of Beldanga police station, Sandipan Chatterjee, was replaced by Jamaluddin Mondal on Sunday.

At Deganga in North 24 Parganas district, Taki Road remained blocked for more than two hours after protesters clashed with police.

No fresh incident was reported in Howrah, which witnessed widespread violence on Friday. In a tweet, the state police said that more than 100 people have been arrested so far. “Nobody who indulges in any of these crimes will be spared.”

State BJP leaders led by state president Sukanta Majumdar started a sit-in demonstration near Gandhi statue at Maidan in Kolkata. Leader of opposition in state assembly Suvendu Adhikari was prevented by police from visiting the violence-hit areas in Howrah.

“This is a violation of my fundamental rights,” Adhikari said, adding that he will move Calcutta high court on Monday.

TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said the BJP’s protest is “a drama to hog the limelight.” Md Yahiya, chairman of Bengal Imams Association, appealed to chief minister Mamata Banerjee not to allow any more protest meetings.

Appealing to Muslims in a video message, Yahiya said: “You are resorting to arson and violence in the name of protecting the honour of the Prophet. This is unacceptable... These protests must stop immediately. There is no need for it.”