A 50-year-old man was killed and five others injured in a clash between police and Bajrang Dal activists in West Bengal’s Purulia district on Sunday noon over an armed procession brought out by the latter on the occasion of Ram Navami.
In a recent clash between activists of Bajrang Dal and Police in Purulia district of West Bengal, have taken life of a 50 year old man. Also, there are reports of five to ten people’s injuries in this clash. There was a procession on the occasion of Ram Navami in Birbhum on Sunday. Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad had organized it Minor boys and girls having arms like swords and knives were seen in this procession. They were passing over main roads of the area while chanting the name of Lord Ram. The clash broke out at minority-dominated Beldi village. Local policemen tried to stop these activists from bringing out such rally while brandishing arms. West Bengal BJP Mahila Morcha Chief Locket Chatterjee was also seen holding a ‘Trishul’ during this procession to celebrate Ram Navami. This clash between police and goons of Bajrang Dal had taken life of an old man. The deceased was identified as S K Sajahan.
The state government had already been serious about such processions. There is a ban on carrying weapons during any sort of religious processions.
Purulia superintendent of Police Joy Biswas shared that this clash occurred as police stopped them because of an armed procession. During this clash, Sahajhan got trapped and received fatal injuries. Considering his situation, he was rushed to nearby hospital where he was declared dead. Five villagers also got severe injuries in the clashes. So far, police have arrested 16 persons in this case. Considering a tense situation in the area, a huge police contingent has been deployed there.
As per received reports, Minors were seen in this march brandishing sharp swords and pointed tridents, defying the government’s directive.
Ananya Chatterjee, the chairman of the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also given her reaction on this issue. She said that Involvement of minors in such an armed procession is absolutely an offence that can’t be forgiven. All those who are responsible for such nonsense should be punished. I have urged police officers and district magistrate to take strict action against them.
State BJP president Dilip Ghosh has given a war cry against the imposed ban of state government. As a result of that, there was tension about rallies on Ram Navami. On Sunday morning, Ghosh said, “we will bring out processions with swords, tridents and mace throughout the state,”
Dilip Ghosh has also participated in such a procession with arms at Kharagpur in West Midnapore district. However, that procession ended peacefully.
In another procession on Ram Navami, senior BJP leader Rahul Sinha was on the road. As per local people in that area, several school children have participated in this procession with swords and tridents.
BJP has also brought two rallies in Kolkata on Sunday. However, these rallies were without any sorts of arms.
In another incident on Sunday, there was a clash between Trinamool supporters and BJP supporters. At Chinsurah in Hooghly district, Trinamool supporters lead by local councilor Sunil Malakar tried to stop BJP supporters from worshipping arms publicly. This incident of a small clash between these two groups was then controlled by local police.