Centre seeks report from TMC government over clashes in Raniganj even as area remains under prohibitory orders
The Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal government on a communal flare-up that occurred during a Ram Navami procession in Raniganj, West Burdwan district, three days ago.
The query followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s telephonic conversation on the issue with Babul Supriyo, Asansol Lok Sabha MP and MoS for heavy industries, on Wednesday.
A man was killed and several injured after the BJP-organised procession allegedly tried to enter a Muslim-dominated locality in Raniganj on March 25. Two others lost their lives in the following days. The district administration has imposed restrictions under Section 144 of the CrPC in the area, and deployed police as well as Rapid Action Force personnel to prevent further violence.
Supriyo said he has briefed home minister Rajnath Singh on the matter too. “The Centre has offered to send additional forces,” he told mediapersons.
The state government, however, accused the Asansol MP of painting an inaccurate scenario before the Centre. “The state administration is handling the situation efficiently,” said education minister Partha Chatterjee.
A senior bureaucrat in the Bengal government confirmed the receipt of the central query, but described it as a “routine” affair. “The Union home ministry has sought a report from the state on the steps taken by the state administration in Raniganj. It also wants information on the action taken against those involved in the clashes,” he said on the condition of anonymity.
Partha Chatterjee, TMC secretary general and state education minister, downplayed the need for deployment of central forces. “It’s up to the chief minister to take a decision on the matter. We have handled difficult situations in the past too,” he said.
Supriyo had earlier accused law-enforcement agencies of doing nothing when “goons went on the rampage” in his constituency. “The most alarming fact is that the WB police remained inactive and far away from the spots. And, as the videos will prove, residents are alleging that police did not respond or take calls,” he said on Twitter.
The Asansol MP also claimed on the micro-blogging site that “dozens of goons from the minority community” came in matadors and cars to vandalise and burn down shops. They “pulled Hindus out of their houses and brutally assaulted them” with sharp weapons, he added.
RANIGANJ SCENARIO
The situation in Raniganj remained tense for the second day despite an abatement of violence. Police continued to patrol largely deserted streets even as banks functioned through partially opened shutters. “The situation is under control but we are not taking any chances,” said Asansol-Durgapur police commissioner LN Meena.
A police team led by Kolkata additional commissioner Vineet Goyal is being dispatched to ensure peace in Asansol.