BELDANGA: The internet was shut down in Murshidabad and Jangipur police district, including in areas like Behrampore, Salar, Domkal, Jangipur and Samsherganj, and prohibitory orders were issued in some parts on Sunday after tension between two groups in Murshidabad’s Beldanga led to clashes from Saturday night.
Seventeen people were arrested for the violence. West Bengal Police in a statement said, “President and secretary of the committee where this incident took place have been arrested and taken in police custody. Prompt action has been taken by the police against vandalism and violence by arresting 17 persons. No casualty, repeat no casualty, has been reported anywhere in the district. Six persons were injured and are under proper treatment. Condition of all injured is stable. Situation is under control. Sharp police vigil continues.”
After the tension ebbed, Kartik er Lorai (Kartik fight), a century-old procession, was observed peacefully at Beldanga.
On Saturday evening, a video of a message on a neon sign used to decorate a Kartik Puja pandal was spread on social media. The message was derogatory to a religious community. Groups of people started gathering near Ganeshtala and vandalised the gate where the message was displayed and nearby lighting. This sparked retaliation from another group, and a bikers’ gang carrying sticks and weapons vandalised another area nearby. These videos, too, were shared, following which larger groups tried to block Beldanga rail gate and the National Highway.
This continued until 10pm, forcing a number of trains passing through Beldanga to halt midway. Murshidabad town-bound Bhagirathi Express from Sealdah was stranded for several hours, an officer said.
The police statement said, “Malicious efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation and rumours about last night’s incident at Beldanga where clashes took place between two groups over some condemnable mischief. Please do not heed unverified facts and figures being circulated on social media to disrupt peace. Sternest possible legal action will be taken against law-breakers as also the rumour-mongers.”
BJP neta Dilip Ghosh, who was in the area, was not allowed by police to visit Beldanga.