BJP Office in Kolkata Set Ablaze During Protests Over Remarks on Prophet
Visuals from the state showed fire tenders dousing police vehicles and booths set on fire by protestors in Howrah.
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office was set ablaze in Howrah's Panchla in West Bengal on Friday, 10 June, during protests over remarks on Prophet Muhammad by BJP leaders, including by former spokesperson Nupur Sharma.
Internet services in the entire jurisdiction of Howrah have been suspended till 6 am on Monday, June 13, an order from the West Bengal government read.
"In view of the recent events in some areas, Internet transmissions and Voice over Internet Telephony may be used for spreading rumour for unlawful activities in Howrah District over-the next few days," the order read.
Tweeting out a video of the charred office, BJP National Executive Committee member Dr Anirban Ganguly said, "Since they listen to her and unfailingly vote for her, West Bengal Chief Minister and Home-Police Minister should be able to identify and arrest these rioters/pelters who vandalised and set fire to the BJP office in Howrah rural dist this afternoon."
BJP member Amit Thakur also took to twitter and said: "The Bhartiya Janata Party office is a place of worship for us, today thousand of mad fundamentalist have came and set fire to that place of worship."
Bengal Imams Association president Muhammed Yahia said it had called for protests inside mosques across the state, demanding the arrest of the two BJP leaders, but said the administration is free to take action against people who are blocking roads and inconveniencing the public.
People also gathered in the Park Circus area and Howrah district of West Bengal to protest.
People also held a protest at Dasnagar railway station causing passengers inconvenience at several stops, including Santragachi railway station, which lies on the Howrah-Kharagpur railway route.
Samik Bhattacharya, chief spokesperson of the Bengal BJP, addressing a press conference, said, "To protest peacefully is their right, but today the way in which 800 people, with boys as young as 12 holding rods."
"Shops were demolished and set ablaze, the BJP office was demolished, the car and the bikes in front of it were set ablaze. Despite all of this, the police did not reach the scene on time," Bhattacharya added.
Visuals emerging from the state showed fire tenders dousing police vehicles and booths that were set on fire by protestors in Howrah.
WB Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought an update on the "worsening law and order situation" in the state from the chief secretary of the state by 10 pm on Friday.
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