ASANSOL Returning To Normalcy: MOS Babul Supriya Barred From Visiting Own Constituency

SITUATION is becoming normal in Asansol, West Bengal’s industrial town, affected by Ram Navami violence. One person was killed and two police officers were injured in the violence that had erupted in the area on Sunday and Monday. The Imam of Noorani Masjid, Imdatullah Rashid, alleged his younger son was killed in the violence and that his body was found on Wednesday night, but he had not filed any police complaint in this regard. He appealed to the people to restore peace. However, the concerned authorities were yet to confirm death of his son. Meanwhile, a high power BJP delegation will visit the affected areas to make an assessment of the situation. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee soon after returning from Delhi was briefed on the development by the Chief Secretary, Dig and other senior officials. Minister of State Babul Supriya, Member of Lok Sabha from the region, was barred from visiting his own constituency by the authorities. Babul Supriyo said two FIRs were lodged against him by the police following which he also filed a complaint against them. Supriya and WB BJP Mahila Morcha president Locket Chatterjee were stopped by the police from entering the Asansol-Raniganj area on Thursday resulting in a scuffle between BJP supporters and the Police. One person was killed and two police officers were injured. Asansol-Durgapur Deputy Commissioner of Police Arindam Dutta Chowdhury has lost a hand when agitators hurled a bomb at him. He is being treated at a Durgapur-based hospital.

State Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee, close to the Chief Minister, accused the BJP of trying to vitiate peace and communal harmony in the state.“When police is patrolling the area, why do they want to visit Raniganj? Are they not satisfied after unleashing violence for the last two days?”  he said. Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under 144 CrPC remained in force and internet services suspended for the third day on Friday to help life return normal. There was no fresh incident of violence but the prohibitory orders were in force in Asansol as tension prevailed in the northern parts of the town, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) P Roychowdhury said. Internet services would remain suspended till April 4.The police staged a route march in the town to instil a sense of security among the people. Shops and markets, however, opened and vehicles plied in the southern parts of the town, he added. West Bengal BJP general secretary Sayantan Basu said in a statement a delegation of party leaders will visit Raniganj and Asansol rocked over clashes between two groups of people over Ram Navami processions. The BJP delegation will visit the troubled areas to assess the situation and submit report to party president Amit Shah, he added. The four-member delegation would comprise BJP national spokesperson Shahnawaz  Hussain, party’s  MPs Roopa Ganguly and OP Mathur and senior leader V D Ram.“The dates are being finalised, he added. Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Asansol Municipal Corporation mayor Jitendra Tiwari alleged that the leaders of the saffron party wanted to visit the area to incite violence in the areas to divide the people on religious lines. Meanwhile, 60 persons have been nabbed so far following the violence over a Ram Navami procession. Mobile telephone services would, however, remain operational in the area. Police patrolling continued and RAF has been deployed in the area. Senior Police officers have been rushed reached there. (image courtesy: The FIRSTPOST)