Fresh violence breaks out in Rishra, train services suspended

Violence erupted in Rishra's Rail-Gate area around Monday midnight. Police vehicles were torched, vehicles and shops vandalised and stones were pelted, turning the area into a battleground. The trouble started when rioters hurled crude bombs and stones on people near the station.

At least 36 persons were arrested following fresh violence and CrPC Section 144 was imposed and internet services suspended. Following the violence, train services were suspended and railway services at the busy Howrah-Burdwan main division halted. Passengers were stranded inside trains at Howrah station. Locals heard sounds of bombing and saw a fire near the Rail Gate, people in the know told ET.

Police personnel were attacked and injured, police vehicles vandalised and stones and glass bottles were strewn all over the place, local sources said. The Centre later sought a report from chief secretary HK Dwivedi on the violence in Howrah and Rishra. Dwivedi said the situation was under control and has started to return to normal.


Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari moved the Calcutta High Court seeking intervention of the court on the issue of fresh violence in Rishra on Monday night. He sought the deployment of central forces in Howrah and Rishra.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while speaking at a programme in East Midnapore's Digha, said, "BJP is hiring goons from outside to create tension. It is criminal violence. It is not Bengal's culture to see riots."