Ram Navami violence in WB: Amit Shah dials Governor to assess law & order situation as Howrah continues to teeter on edge

In the wake of violence between two groups in West Bengal on the occasion of Ram Navami on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dialed Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar on Friday to assess the law and order situation in the state. 

As per reports, the governor is believed to have provided Shah with details about the violence and the current prevailing situation.

Police conduct flag march in several areas

Police conduct flag march on Friday as situation continues to remain tense in West Bengal's Howrah. Fresh reports of stone pelting and arson emerged from Howrah a day after it saw communal clashes during a Ram Navami procession on Thursday.

Today's violent incidents comes even after heavy police deployment, including riot control force in the area.

The incidents of violence have sparked a political tug-of-war in the state with the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP blaming each other.

Suvendu Adhikari slams Mamata

In a veiled attack on Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a statement to ANI said that the police are not doing their work and behaving as mute spectators. 

“Police is not doing its work. They are silent spectators. They are not doing anything. All houses of Hindus have been vandalised. All Hindus in Kazipara area had to flee to save their lives,” claimed Adhikari. 

He further added, “I will meet the injured and thereafter meet the CP. CP had refused to meet me. I had sought an appointment for 4 pm but he had said that the question does not even arise - CM has given directions. But I will go there and carry a CD of yesterday's incidents with me.”

As per reports, Adhikari has filed a PIL in Calcutta High Court pertaining to incidents of violence in Howrah and Dalkhola, praying for NIA probe and immediate deployment of Central Forces in such areas. The PIL will be taken up for hearing on Monday. Derek O'Brien

Meanwhile, TMC's Derek O' Brien in a twitter post held BJP responsible for the Ram Navami violence.

“BJP is creating criminal violence” says @MamataOfficial. Again appeals to all parties in the Opposition and all citizens to come together to fight BJP."

Vehicles set on fire in West Bengal on Thursday

During the procession on Thursday, the rioters vandalized public and private properties and set vehicles on fire.

The reason behind the violence is yet to be ascertained.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reacted over the violence that broke out during a Ram Navami procession, and alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of hiring goons from outside the State to orchestrate communal riots.

"They (BJP) have been hiring goons from outside the state to orchestrate communal riots. Nobody has stopped their processions but they do not have the right to march with swords and bulldozers. How did they get the audacity to do this in Howrah?," CM Banerjee said in Kolkata on Thursday.