At least four people were injured as stones were pelted and clashes broke out in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district during a Ram Navami procession on Wednesday evening.

The incident happened in the Shaktipur area when a group was leading a procession during the Hindu festival. Shaktipur is part of the Berhampore Lok Sabha constituency represented by state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury since 1999. Berhampore will go to the polls in the fourth phase on May 13.

Injured people were taken to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital in Behrampore. Later, prohibitory orders under Section 144 were imposed in the area.

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The police had to resort to lathicharge and fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob. The police further said the situation had been brought under control and additional forces were rushed to the area.

The BJP’s Bengal unit has alleged that stones were pelted at the rally and shops were vandalised. “A peaceful Ram Navami procession, which had all the due permission from the Administration, was attacked by miscreants at Saktipur; Beldanga – II Block; Murshidabad. Strangely, this time around, Mamata Police joined the miscreants in this ghastly attack and fired tear gas shells on the Ram Devotees to disperse them to ensure that the procession ends abruptly,” said Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

“Mamata Police failed to protect the Ram Bhakts this year as well,” Adhikari claimed.

Berhampore MP and Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury visited the region on Wednesday evening.

“I came to see the people who were injured in the clash from Malda. But BJP workers staged a protest in the hospital claiming that Hindus are under attack and demanded an answer from me. Those protesting should ask those who need to answer,” he said, India Today reported.

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“Riots are being triggered as part of a well-defined plan. And the BJP protest proves it. I have spoken to the Election Commission. Additional forces have been rushed to Shaktipur and the SP is at the spot. I am continuously in touch with the election commission,” the Congress leader said.

The incident comes days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had warned of riots breaking out on Ram Navami in Murshidabad. Her remarks came after the Election Commission removed the Deputy Inspector General of Police of Murshidabad over violence in the district and the officer’s alleged “lack of supervision”.

Last year’s Ram Navami celebrations in Bengal were marred by violence too, leading to a massive confrontation between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress.

(With inputs from agencies)