Prohibitory orders clamped in Bengal's Hooghly after clashes during Ram Navami rally
Rishra (WB) (PTI): Prohibitory orders are in force in West Bengal's Hooghly district, where clashes broke out between two groups during a Ram Navami procession, police said on Monday.
Internet services have also been suspended in some parts of the district till 10 pm on Monday, they said.
Two Ram Navami processions were organised in the Rishra police station area, and the second one came under attack near Wellington Jute Mill More on GT Road around 6.15 pm on Sunday, police said.
A few police personnel were injured in the violence, they said.
BJP vice-president Dilip Ghosh, who was part of the second procession, told PTI that people were walking peacefully to the Jagannath temple when stones were hurled at them.
Pursurah BJP MLA Biman Ghosh suffered injuries, he said.
A senior officer of the Chandannagar Police Commissionerate said, "The procession was passing through a traditional route when a group started throwing stones at it. We took immediate steps to address the situation."
No person has yet been arrested in connection with the violence, she said.
Security has been bolstered in the area to prevent any further flare-up.
"Police are conducting route march, and prohibitory orders under CrPC Section 144 have been imposed in Rishra wards 1-5 and Serampore's ward 24. Internet services will remain suspended in parts of Rishra and Serampore till 10 pm on Monday," she said.
Meanwhile, Governor C V Ananda Bose said those behind the violence will be put behind bars.
"The miscreants, the hooligans, and the thugs will be crushed with an iron hand. Mobocracy cannot derail democracy. The state is determined to put an end to this arson and looting," he said.
Condemning the violence, the state's Industry Minister Shashi Panja alleged that the BJP was trying to destroy peace and tranquility in the state.
"BJP is known for vandalism of public property, and triggering communal riots all over the country," she said.
The state government will firmly deal with the situation and take necessary action to punish the perpetrators, Panja said.
Trinamool Congress spokesperson Joyprakash Majumdar also questioned the need to organise the processions two days after Ram Navami.
"Why are they so hell-bent on taking out Ram Navami processions during the holy month of Ramzan? The BJP wants to engineer riots in Bengal to create instability for political gains," he told PTI.
Majumdar claimed that some participants in the rally were carrying weapons such as swords, which created panic among people.
Violence during Ram Navami celebrations had rocked parts of neighbouring Howrah district on Thursday and Friday, leading to the arrest of 45 people.
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FIR filed against Nirmala Sitharaman over electoral bonds allegations
CM Siddaramaiah asks if Nirmala Sitharaman will resign
Bengaluru: A Bengaluru court has ordered the registration of an FIR against Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, following a complaint alleging extortion linked to the now-scrapped electoral bonds scheme. The complaint was lodged by Adarsh Iyer from the Janaadhikara Sangharsha Sanghatane.
The Special Court for People's Representatives in Bengaluru has directed the police to register the FIR, which implicates Sitharaman and others in the case.
In response to the allegations, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah asks if Nirmala Sitharaman will resign.
"An FIR has been registered against Nirmala Sitharaman in the Special Court for People's Representatives. Who is she? She is a Union Minister, and there is an FIR against her too. They were involved in extortion through electoral bonds and the FIR has been registered on that. She should tender her resignation after the FIR has been registered. Will they (BJP) ask her to resign?" he said.
"Now, as per Section 17A (of Prevention of Corruption Act), the investigation must be completed and a report should be submitted within three months. Based on that, they have registered the FIR and are investigating further," he added.
"In my case, the lower court has passed an order. The Governor has asked for an enquiry under Section 17A, and the court has directed that the investigation be completed and a report should be submitted within three months," Siddaramaiah said.
Siddaramaiah will also be probed under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act in connection with alleged irregularities in the MUDA case.
Siddaramaiah also demanded resignation of JD(S) leader and Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy, accusing him of corruption.
"First, let Kumaraswamy resign. Shouldn't he tender his resignation too? Let them resign first. Even PM (Narendra) Modi should resign. In the election bond extortion case, PM Modi should also tender his resignation. Nirmala Sitharaman should resign as well. Kumaraswamy is out on bail and he should resign," he said.
