Calcutta HC directs Bengal government to file report on fresh Rishra violence

Clashes near railway gate number 4 in Rishra on Monday night had affected train services along the Howrah-Bardhaman main line

April 04, 2023 02:12 pm | Updated 02:12 pm IST - Kolkata

Security personnel deployed near Rishra railway station April 4, 2023 amid tension after clashes broke out between two groups during a ‘Ram Navami’ procession on April 2, 2023 in Hooghly district.

Security personnel deployed near Rishra railway station April 4, 2023 amid tension after clashes broke out between two groups during a ‘Ram Navami’ procession on April 2, 2023 in Hooghly district. | Photo Credit: PTI

The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed the West Bengal government to file a report on fresh clashes in Rishra in Hooghly district after lawyers representing senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari mentioned the matter before a division Bench.

The court directed Mr. Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, to file a supplementary affidavit before it on the incident.

Clashes near railway gate number 4 in Rishra on Monday night had affected train services along the Howrah-Bardhaman main line.

Also Read | Politics over communal flare-ups continues in West Bengal

A division Bench presided by Acting Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam directed the State government to file a short report on the fresh incident of unrest in Rishra after Mr. Adhikari's lawyers mentioned the matter before the court.

The matter will be heard on April 5 along with a PIL by Mr. Adhikari, the Bench, also comprising Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, directed.

Two groups of people had clashed during a Ram Navami procession in Rishra on Sunday night, following which the police clamped prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and blocked internet services in the affected area.

The Bench had on Monday directed the State government to file a comprehensive report on April 5 on incidents of violence at Shibpur in Howrah city and steps taken to ensure peace in the affected area.

The Bench had directed the State government to submit CCTV and video footage related to the incidents of violence.

The police were directed by the court to make adequate deployment as required.

Monday's order came on a PIL by Mr. Adhikari seeking an NIA investigation into the violence at Shibpur alleging that bombs were hurled during the violence, and he also prayed for the deployment of central forces for ensuring security in Shibpur.

Advocate General S.N. Mookherjee, representing the State, had submitted that the situation at Shibpur is under control.

0 / 0
Sign in to unlock member-only benefits!
  • Access 10 free stories every month
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide by our community guidelines for posting your comments.

We have migrated to a new commenting platform. If you are already a registered user of The Hindu and logged in, you may continue to engage with our articles. If you do not have an account please register and login to post comments. Users can access their older comments by logging into their accounts on Vuukle.