Kolkata: A 50-year-old man was killed and five police personnel were injured including deputy superintendent of police as clashes broke out during a Ram Navami rally in West Bengal's Purulia district on Sunday.

The deceased, identified as SK Sajahan, was caught in the scuffle.

Additional Director General of Police Anuj Sharma said that violence erupted between the two groups over the Ram Navami procession taken out in the Arsha police station area of the district.

BJP and Trinamool Congress had organized processions in various parts of the state on Sunday to celebrate Ram Navami. At several places, armed processions were taken out to mark the occasion.

West Bengal BJP president, Dilip Ghosh was seen participating in one such rally with a sword and a mace In Kharagpur.

 “Despite the police not giving permission, armed rallies were taken out at various places. The police will take legal action against it,” Anuj Sharma said.

TMC leaders of Purulia district alleged that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) took out an armed Ram Navami procession, where children were seen wielding weapons. However, state VHP president Sachindranath Singha denied the allegation saying, “We had not taken out any armed Ram Navami procession.

Some people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, Sharma informed.

 

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Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.

Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.

 

Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.