A day after communal clashes in Raghunathganj in Murshidabad, 30 people have been arrested in connection with the violence on Friday during Ram Navami processions, officials of Jangipur police district said. A total of 6 cases have been filed by the police, including four filed suo motu

Officials reported no casualties.

Sources in the Election Commission said the report had already been sent to the National Election Commission from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer.

While heavy police and central forces deployed in the area, police in Raghunathganj have also been asked to remain alert and active to keep the situation under control.

Police in Raghunathganj have been instructed to be more alert and active to keep the situation under control by the Chief Electoral Officer. This step is considered to be an indication of the tough stance the administration is taking to maintain law and order in the election climate.

Tensions flared on Friday evening in the Raghunathganj police station area when a Ram Navami procession turned violent. Locals said the procession, which gathered at Mackenzie Park in Jangipur municipality before circling the town, ran into trouble after objections over loud music and DJ boxes. They alleged that stones were thrown at the procession. The situation escalated near Sisatla, where an argument reportedly broke out between procession participants and local residents. Further allegations of stone-and brick-pelting were made near the Fultala bus stand, where a group of 150-200 people allegedly attacked the procession. In the aftermath, angry mobs vandalised and set fire to several fruit shops near the Fultala crossing.

A senior police officer said the situation became volatile after an altercation during the procession escalated into violence, with both sides throwing stones and damaging property.

“Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control. Central forces have been conducting route marches and maintaining vigil in the affected areas. The situation is now under control,” the officer said.

“Adequate forces have been deployed, and patrolling is ongoing to ensure peace and normalcy. We are closely monitoring the situation and will take strict action against those involved in the violence.”

Local shop owners described panic when the procession was attacked.

“We were sitting in the shop like other days. Ram Navami procession was going. Suddenly a group of young people started running with lathi and sword. They started ransacking the shops. We closed our shops as quickly as possible. We don’t know who they were,” a shop owner, Murshed Ali said.

Bablu Ghosh, another shop owner, said, “We don’t know anybody. They may be outsiders. But, what happened is very unfortunate.”