Violence in Purulia over social media posts

June 12, 2017 12:00 am | Updated 04:38 am IST - Kolkata

Several shops, vehicles vandalised in the Chawkbazar area

The Purulia town in south-west West Bengal is in the grip of tension after Saturday’s clash between two groups over social media posts that allegedly hurt religious sentiments.

Injured

According to local residents, a few persons were injured in the violence. Rapid Action Force [RAF] has been deployed in the area.

A senior district police official said there had been “a law and order situation” in Purulia town.

The police, he said, brought the situation under control.

Tension brewing

“Tension started brewing about a couple of days back when a member of one community allegedly posted a comment on social media hurting the religious sentiments of the other community,” a resident of the area told The Hindu . The situation flared up on Saturday morning, when the second group responded with a counter post.

In the afternoon, members of the two communities took to the streets and resorted to vandalism. At least five persons have been arrested.

Situation improves

Residents said several shops and vehicles were vandalised in the Chawkbazar area. “The situation has improved as the police acted quickly and a large contingent of the RAF was deployed in the area,” they said.

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