West Bengal Ram Navami violence: Sixty people arrested; internet services suspended in Ranigunj, Asansol

Sixty people have been arrested in West Bengal's Asansol so far following violence over a Ram Navami procession. The authorities also suspended internet services and issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC in Asansol and Ranigunj on Wednesday.

Internet services were suspended to check the spread of rumours and the prohibitory orders were clamped to maintain peace, Asansol sub-divisional officer Proloy Roychowdhury said. Mobile telephone services would, however, remain operational in the area, he said.

Representational image. AFP

Police patrolling has been stepped up and RAF deployed in the area, he said, adding that three top police officers have been rushed here from Kolkata.

Clashes broke out between two groups on Monday over a Ram Navami procession at Ranigunj in Bardhman West district. One person was killed and two police officers were injured.

Asansol-Durgapur Deputy Commissioner of Police Arindam Dutta Chowdhury lost a hand when agitators hurled a bomb at him. He is being treated at a Durgapur-based hospital.

With inputs from PTI