Violence erupted in West Bengal’s Howrah district on Sunday over a drawing competition and photo display, following which prohibitory orders were imposed in the area, reports The Indian Express.
Swati Bhangalia, Superintendent of Police, Howrah said that a complaint was filed by a community over objectionable photos. Police then registered a case and a few people were arrested.
The SP said that although the case was filed, a section of people from a particular community attacked police, following which more arrests were made.
Bhangalia said that the situation was brought under control. The SP said 25-30 people have been arrested and Section 144 has also been imposed in the area.
The BJP alleged that “anti-social individuals engaged in blatant vandalism” in the Shyampur area.
In a post on X, BJP IT Cell in charge Amit Malviya said, “West Bengal is burning, again. A group of criminal thugs, after submitting a deputation at Shyampur Police Station, unleashed chaos in the Shyampur area. These anti-social individuals engaged in blatant vandalism, targeting Durga Puja pandals in the locality… The situation has grown increasingly tense in areas under the Shyampur Police Station, which comes under the Howrah Rural Police District. This is a heinous act of violence and an assault on our traditions and the peaceful observance of Durga Puja.”
BJP leader and Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari alleged that a group of miscreants while returning from the Shyampur Police Station where they went to submit a deputation, went berserk and started vandalising the Durga Puja Pandals.
“I would like to urge the DG @WBPolice to send adequate forces immediately at the spot to quell the vandalism and take action against the unruly vandals. Secretary @HomeBengal, you must monitor the whole situation till normalcy is restored.DM @HowrahDistrict & SP @RuralHowrah please take all steps necessary…,” Adhikari posted on X.