A total of seven cases have been registered and 40 individuals arrested in 24 hours after violent clashes broke out in the Rabindranagar area of South 24 Parganas district and the adjacent Nadiyal area.
The unrest broke out on Tuesday afternoon over a dispute regarding the location of a shop and the planting of a Tulsi plant. Protesters hurled bricks at police personnel, and isolated incidents of vandalism were reported. Police resorted to force to disperse the crowd.
DIG Presidency Range Akash Magharia said, “So far, three cases have been filed and 28 individuals arrested by the West Bengal Police,” while Kolkata Police also took action in the Nadiyal area. Joint CP (Crime) Rupesh Kumar stated: “A total of four cases have been registered at Nadiyal police station based on complaints from police personnel. Twelve individuals were arrested by Kolkata Police last night.”
The West Bengal Police, in a statement on X, confirmed the coordinated action: “A total of 40 persons have been arrested so far in seven cases registered over the incident. None of those who have indulged in violence will be spared.”
“The situation is now peaceful and under control. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS have been imposed in the Rabindranagar PS area in the interest of peace. Representatives of all political parties or groups are advised not to visit the area while Section 163 is in force,” it said.
Authorities have also appealed for calm and urged citizens to refrain from spreading misinformation on social media. “Those attempting to incite unrest will be dealt with strictly, in accordance with the law,” police said.
Meanwhile, in a major development in nearby Budge Budge, police said that explosives had been seized and several individuals apprehended while allegedly carrying materials used in bomb-making. Police are now probing if this is linked to the clashes.
Diamond Harbour SP Rahul Goswami, in a separate press conference, said the seizure occurred in the Budge Budge police station area. “At around 8:45 pm yesterday, acting on intelligence inputs, the police intercepted three bikes and recovered a large cache of explosive materials. These included substantial quantities of sodium powder, over 10 kg of aluminium powder, phosphorus dust, red sulphur, and iron dust — all used in making crude bombs,” he said.
Five arrests have been made in connection with the seizure. One of the accused, Nabin Chandra Roy, allegedly confessed during interrogation that he is an active RSS and BJP worker. “He was seen at Bata More on Ram Navami, where a verbal altercation occurred over the rally route and barricades. We have video footage showing him throwing police barricades,” the SP added.