West Bengal Governor K N Tripathi on Saturday visited violence-hit areas of Raniganj and Asansol. Earlier, he held a meeting with senior police and administration officials to take stock of the situation.
One person was killed and two police officers suffered serious injuries on Monday when clashes broke out between two groups over a Ram Navami procession in Raniganj area of Bardhaman West district.
The violence fanned out to Asansol, prompting police to suspend Internet services and clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in trouble-torn areas of the district. The Asansol-Raniganj area has been on the boil since Sunday over clashes following a Ram Navami rally.
On Friday, reports emerged that Asansol MP Babul Supriyo had threatened to “skin” people, when they shouted slogans against him.
According to media reports, when a person asked him to “go back” and leave them alone, Supriyo was heard shouting, “Chamra guthiye debo ekdom… (Will skin alive).”
Earlier, a case was registered against Supriyo for violating prohibitory orders in Asansol and misbehaving with a senior IPS officer. Supriyo accused the Bengal government of registering “false cases”, which, he said, reminded of the CPM rule.
Supriyo was booked for violating prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and under Sections 146, 147, 148 (rioting) and 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), a non-bailable offence.
Imam calls for peace after son’s ‘death’ in voilence
The Imam of Noorani Masjid, Imdatullah Rashid, had said that his son was also killed in the violence but there was no confirmation from the police on the incident. The imam had also appealed for peace in the area.
Prohibitory orders are still in force as the situation here is tense, a senior police officer said.
“No fresh incident of violence was reported from the area in last three days,” he said, adding that a huge contingent of the police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) is patrolling the area.
(With agency inputs)