The government of India has handed over the investigation of communal violence in Howrah district to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This decision came after a special team led by CID Inspector General of Police, Sunil Choudhury, visited the affected areas of Shibpur on Saturday morning. Prohibitory orders have also been imposed in the Howrah district after fresh incidents of stone pelting were reported. The Trinamool Congress has alleged that the violence was a conspiracy of the BJP to polarise the society for political gain. Meanwhile, the chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), Priyank Kanoongo, has alleged that a West Bengal Police officer beat him up when he protested against police secretly recording proceedings of an investigation by the NCPCR.
On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose over the violence that took place during a Ram Navami procession in Howrah. During the conversation, the home minister sought to know the prevailing situation in the state, particularly in the violence-hit areas of Howrah. Clashes broke out between two groups in the Kazipara area of Howrah district during Ram Navami festivities. Several vehicles were torched and shops were ransacked in the area. Thirty-one people have been arrested in connection with Thursday’s violence. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has accused the BJP of inciting communal tensions and said that strict action will be taken against those involved in the clashes.
