Clashes erupt between two groups in Hooghly district; section 144 CrPC imposed
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The District Magistrate issued prohibitory orders imposing section 144 CrPC in the area and mobile internet services were suspended till 6 pm on May 17, 2020, in Chandannagar and Serampore Subdivision.
Hours after the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came down heavily on the lockdown violators of Telinipara in Hooghly district on Tuesday and asked police to appropriate steps, strict action followed.
After holding a video conference with the district magistrates and police superintendents, Banerjee said, “I have told police to take the strictest action. Those who violated the lockdown and indulged in communal clashes will be tried under the National Disaster Management Act. None will be spared. We will not see whether the person belongs to A community or B community.”
Immediately after, strict action and raids in the area followed leading to an arrest of as many as 56 persons. A senior police official said, “Several senior officers from Chandannagar Police Commissionerate were at the spot till last night and the situation was brought under control. Raids continued throughout the night and 56 persons were identified who had not just violated the lockdown but resorted to vandalism and arson in the area. All of them have been arrested, further raids are on.”
Late evening on Tuesday, the District Magistrate issued prohibitory orders imposing section 144 CrPC in the area and mobile internet services were suspended till 6 pm on May 17, 2020, in Chandannagar and Serampore Subdivision.
Violent clashes erupted between two groups on Sunday after a health department team reached Telinipara to collect swab samples for Coronavirus from the containment zone. The other group which had been demanding testing for them on first was told by health officials that the priority was to test those who are inside the containment zone.
Immediately, the two groups clashed with each other. RAF was rushed to the spot on Sunday night and the situation was brought under control.
On Monday, the situation remained peaceful, but fresh clashes broke out between the two groups on Tuesday turning the area extremely tensed.
According to police, officials and RAF from Chandannagar Police Commissionerate were carrying out route marches in the area on Wednesday till last reports came in.