Union Minister and BJP MP Babul Supriyo was denied entry into parts of his own Asansol constituency in West Bengal, which have been marred by communal violence since the attack on a Ram Navami procession on Monday.
The situation has remained tense since then, with reports claiming that two people died in the violence on Thursday. This took the total deaths in the state owing to Ram Navami clashes to five. The state administration amongst it actions, imposed section 144 in Asansol and also suspended the internet services in the area.
As per reports, Supriyo, while trying to enter Railpar region, faced opposition from a group of people who demanded that he leave the area immediately. Supriyo had initially visited some of his constituents, a section of which then egged him to visit the areas affected by the violence. Supriyo decided to continue his march into the affected areas, which resulted in him being stopped by the police.
The police also proceeded to file two FIRs against him containing non-bailable offences after there was an alleged scuffle with the cops. Supriyo later decided to file a counter FIR against IPS officer Rupesh Kumar, alleging assault.
With regards to him barred from entering the affected areas Supriyo commented that, as a public representative he had every right to visit his constituency especially when the people there were in trouble. He claimed that the police barred his entry by quoting the imposition of section 144.
Since the incident he has also taken to twitter to allege that TMC councillors were being allowed to freely move in an area while he was surrounded by the Rapid Action Force as soon as he got down from his car. He also alleged that he was abused by TMC workers, who also threatened the victims of the communal violence:
Earlier during the initial days of the communal violence, which included senior police officers being attacked with bombed, Supriyo had put the blame on the ‘minority community’ for the said violence and also alleged that they were being given a safe haven to escape following their attack.
