Fresh violence in Howrah, Amit Shah speaks to Bengal Governor

After fresh unrest was reported in Howrah's Kazipara area which witnessed violence over the Ram Navami procession on Thursday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose over the issue.

Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also reviewed the situation on Friday, a Raj Bhavan statement said.

The governor also said those who resort to violence under the illusion that they can hoodwink the people will soon realise they are in a fool's paradise.

"There will be effective and concerted action to book the culprits and bring them before the law. Setting fire to public property, that too on the sacred Ram Navami day, is a highly provocative act and will be viewed seriously," he said.

Raj Bhavan will keep its eyes and ears open to ensure protection to the life, property and dignity of the common man, Bose said.

During the telephonic conversation with Bose, the union home minister sought to know the prevailing situation in the state, particularly in the violence-hit areas of Howrah.

The governor is believed to have provided the home minister details about Thursday's violence and the present situation, sources said in New Delhi.

As unidentified people on police personnel on Friday afternoon, the police used batons to disperse a group of people who had gathered there.

At least three policemen were injured in the brick batting.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were imposed in Kazipara area, a senior IPS officer told PTI.

Altogether 45 people were arrested in connection with the violence since Thursday.

"The situation was calm and peaceful until this afternoon. After that, police personnel were pelted with stones which sparked tension in the area. Some people were arrested as our officers reacted instantly," he said.

A huge team of Rapid Action Force (RAF) from Kolkata Police was brought into the area on Friday afternoon. The personnel started a route march following the stone-throwing incidents.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party, along with other right-wing organisations, was responsible for Thursday's violence in Howrah.

She appealed to people to maintain peace in the area.

"The Howrah incident is very unfortunate. Neither Hindus nor Muslims were behind the violence in Howrah. The BJP along with Bajrang Dal and other such organisations were involved in the violence with arms," Banerjee told Bengali television news channel ABP Ananda.

The state government will help all whose properties were vandalised in the clashes, she said.

Violence broke out on Thursday evening between two groups when a Ram Navami procession was taken out in the twin city of Howrah.

Several vehicles, including some belonging to the police, were torched and shops and auto-rickshaws ransacked during the violence.

A large police contingent was deployed to restore peace in the locality.