The Bhatpara-Kankinara region in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district has been witnessing several incidents of violence since the last few days. A maternity home in the area was ransacked which caused a panic among the patients.
Bombs have been exploding in the area since Saturday evening, the Police said. Thus far, two people have been arrested in connection with the incident. The Police also recovered 50 crude bombs from an abandoned railways housing complex in the area on Monday morning. Miscreants also reportedly hurled bombs at the Bhatpara Municipality Matri Sadan (maternity home), creating panic and forcing patients to flee.
Many families were allegedly forced to flee the area fearing for their lives. Their houses were, thus, open to looting. At least 6 people suffered severe injuries due to the bombs that were hurled indiscriminately. The condition of one is said to be critical.
Ajoy Thakur, Deputy Commissioner (Zone 1) of the Barrackpore Police Commissionerate said, “Some miscreants hurled bombs in three places on Monday, but now the situation is under control.” Section 144 has been imposed in the area and the RAF is conducting patrols to maintain peace in the troubled region.
Clashes erupted near the Municipal Corporation as well after karyakartas of the BJP and Trinamool got involved in another spate of violence. Bombs were hurled and the Police was forced to conduct a lathicharge to bring the situation under control.
#NewsAlert-पश्चिम बंगाल: TMC-BJP के कार्यकर्ता आपस में भिड़े, उत्तर- 24 पर हिंसक झड़प @preetiraghunand pic.twitter.com/omuLqZpFVH
— News18 India (@News18India) July 16, 2019
Only recently, two people died and three were injured in BJP-TMC clashes in the same area. Section 144 was imposed then as well and internet services were shut down. The clashes mark the continuation of the ever-deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal under Mamata Banerjee. Political violence, mob violence and crimes have become rampant in the state.