Bhoot Chaturdashi shows Bengal’s spooky side: State’s own halloween
Bhoot Chaturdashi, Bengal’s version of Halloween, honors ancestors and wards off spirits with 14 diyas and traditions of protection, purity, and storytelling.
Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought a detailed report by tonight from the state’s chief secretary on the ‘worsening law and order situation in state’ which includes an unprecedented firing by a policeman at Park Circus, today, which killed a woman and injured two others, besides the policeman also shooting himself dead.
Today, the governor raised an alarm over what he alleged was deteriorating law and order conditions in West Bengal. In this, he was referring to two incidents that occurred on two consecutive days. Today, a policeman allegedly opened fire from his service rifle in the Park Circus area, killing a woman and then committing suicide, as per eyewitnesses. The unprecedented firing also injured two others, reportedly. The incident sparked tension in the minority-dominated area and caused flutters within the state administration.
Meanwhile, yesterday, allegedly the Bengal Imam Association blocked the National Highway in Domjur, in Howrah, and called for strict legal action against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for her remarks over the Prophet which incensed the minority community. The chief minister Mamata Banerjee had to request the association to withdraw the roadblock which choked traffic in Howrah and adjacent areas.
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The governor today alleged that the state administration failed to take preventive and precautionary measures to avert the blockade in the wake of the imam association circulating a video clip, raising protest while its president calling for demonstrations after Friday’s namaaz session.
Mr Dhankhar said in view of the alarming law and order situation in the state since yesterday, including reported deaths today, he is constrained to seek an urgent personal update from the chief secretary by 10 pm tonight. The chief secretary has been called upon to initiate all possible steps to bring about a restoration of law and order as also peace.
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