Bhatpara still tense, 14 arrested
Kolkata: A day after clashes erupted between two groups in Bhatpara in North 24-Parganas district, the situation remained tense with prohibitory orders in force and huge police deployment in the area.
According to sources, 14 persons who were allegedly connected with Thursday's violence have been arrested.
Despite Section 144 CrPC being in place in and around Bhatpara and Jagatdal, BJP workers allegedly gheraoed police personnel on Friday morning. Few miscreants hurled a socket bomb targeting the cops which did not explode. Later in the afternoon, a huge mob pelted stones on the police personnel deployed in Bhatpara Bazar area. On the other hand, the state government has ordered an investigation by a Magistrate on the firing issue.
On Friday morning, a huge mob led by BJP MP Arjun Singh gheraoed the Commissioner Of Police (CP), Barrackpore's office near Chiria More. Later, a team submitted a deputation to the CP regarding Thursday's Bhatpara incident.
Almost at the same time when the police were trying to enforce law and order, two miscreants, riding a bike, hurled a bomb targeting the police officials. But none was hurt as it did not explode.
On Friday afternoon, the bodies of the two persons who had died on Thursday arrived in Bhatpara after the completion of the legal procedures. As soon as the bodies reached the area, agitated locals started pelting stones on the police personnel. Due to the sudden attack, police had to back off. But later, sleuths reportedly fired few tear gas shells. Also, it was seen that Arjun and his son Pawan who is also the Bhatpara MLA, tried to stop the mob from pelting stones. But all their efforts were in vain as nobody bothered to pay any heed.
Sources informed that the mob was trying to do a rally with the bodies of the deceased persons but police asked them not to as Section 144 CrPC was in place. The situation worsened and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and combat force began route march in the area to restore normalcy. Also, several police teams conducted door-to-door search operations in order to trace the miscreants who are suspected to have taken shelter in the area.
The new Commissioner of Police, Barrackpore, Manoj Verma visited the areas in Bhatpara on Friday night and held a meeting with the police officials. Later, he said: "Our top most priority is to reinstate the law and order situation here. We will do everything to restore normalcy."
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday had directed senior police officers to take stringent action against those involved in the incident "irrespective of their political colour."
