Net shut down, prohibitory orders issued after Beldanga clashes
Times of India | 18 November 2024
Beldanga: The internet was shut down in Murshidabad and Jangipur police district, including in areas like Berhampore, Salar, Domkal, Jangipur and Samsherganj, and prohibitory orders were issued in some parts on Sunday after tension between two groups in Murshidabad's Beldanga led to clashes from Saturday night.
Fifteen people were arrested for the violence. Police said the situation was under control and raids were on to nab other culprits. A large police contingent started patrolling the area. No fresh clashes were reported until Sunday night. After the tension ebbed, Kartik er Lorai (Kartik fight), a century-old procession, was observed peacefully at Beldanga.
Murshidabad police superintendent Suryapratap Yadav arrived at the scene and made announcements on a loudspeaker. "The tension arose from a local issue. We are identifying the guilty and ensuring appropriate punishment. I request everyone to assist the police in maintaining law and order. I appeal to both sides not to take the law into their own hands," Yadav said. State DGP Rajeev Kumar also went to the spot.
On Saturday evening, a video of a message on a neon sign used to decorate a Kartik Puja pandal was spread on social media. The message was derogatory to a religious community. Groups of people started gathering near Ganeshtala and vandalised the gate where the message was displayed and nearby lighting. This sparked retaliation from another group, and a bikers' gang carrying sticks and weapons vandalised another area nearby. These videos, too, were shared, following which larger groups tried to block Beldanga rail gate and the National Highway.
This continued until 10pm, forcing a number of trains passing through Beldanga to halt midway. Murshidabad town-bound Bhagirathi Express from Sealdah was stranded for several hours, an officer said.
Over 30 shops and houses were either ransacked or set on fire, with Beldanga's civic ward 10 being the worst affected. Groups carrying weapons were seen on the streets, and locals alleged bombings. Several people were injured and a number of people went missing.
BJP neta Dilip Ghosh, who was in the area, was not allowed by police to visit Beldanga.