Shah speaks to West Bengal Governor over Ram Navami violence

Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose and took stock of the situation in the state on Friday, a day after violent clashes erupted at Howrah during Ram Navami celebrations.

In a telephonic conversation with Bose, Shah took detailed information of the incident that led to the violence. Several vehicles were torched and shops ransacked during the clashes on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said strict action would be taken against the perpetrators of the violence and asserted that usage of an unauthorised route for the procession led to the clash.


State police said a number of people have been detained.

The BJP, meanwhile, has attacked Banerjee over the violence.

BJP MP Locket Chatterjee on Friday said the lives of Hindus in the state were "under threat". She accused Banerjee of appeasement politics and demanded her resignation.

Union Minister Anurag Thakur also condemned the violence in West Bengal.

"During Mamata Banerjee's rule, journalists were attacked, stone pelting was done during Ram Navami processions. If journalists are becoming victims of violence and the state government remains a mute spectator, what can be more shameful than this? The more it is condemned, the less it is..." Thakur said.