05 July,2017 10:09 AM IST | Kolkata | Agencies
The riots began after an 'objectionable' post on Facebook; State rushes paramilitary BSF troops to affected spots
BSF personnel were rushed to the spot to assist the local police. Pic for representation
Communal clashes have broken out in North 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal over an "objectionable" post on Facebook, prompting the state government to rush 400 troops of paramilitary BSF yesterday to assist the police.
The violence between two communities at Baduria in the district started on Monday night over the post following which a young man was arrested, police said yesterday.
A violent mob put up road blockades at several places and attacked members of another community, besides destroying many shops, they said. There were no immediate reports of any casualty.
Shops were shut down in Baduria as tension prevailed there and spread to adjacent areas like Keosha market, Banshtala, Ramchandrapur and Tentulia, the police said.
A senior Border Security Force (BSF) officer said four companies comprising 400 troops of the force's South Bengal Frontier have been deployed in Bashirhat, Swarupnagar, Baduria and Devganga areas to assist the state police in containing the situation.
Mamata cries foul
In an unprecedented move, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee yesterday accused Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi of "threatening" her over the phone and said that he was acting like a "BJP block president".
"The way he spoke taking the side of the BJP, I felt insulted. I have told him that he cannot talk like this...He talked big on law and order.
"I am not here at the mercy of anyone. The way he spoke to me, I once thought of leaving (the chair)," she said. Condemning the riots, Banerjee said, "This is a serious issue, let me handle it seriously."
Gov defends himself
Tripathi defended himself against the allegation through a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan. It said that the Governor asked the chief minister to ensure peace and law and order by all means. The statement said that it was proper for the Governor to bring to the notice of the chief minister any serious grievance made by any member of public or any serious event happening in the state. "The Hon'ble Governor cannot remain a mute spectator to the affairs in the State," it said.
400
No. of paramilitary BSF personnel sent to the spot
