Suvendu Adhikari seeks NIA probe into Ram Navami clashes in Bengal town

West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Governor CV Ananda Bose demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into clashes during a Ram Navami procession in Murshidabad.

In a post on X, Adhikari blamed Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee's "provocative speech" for inciting clashes in Murshidabad's Rejinagar area on Wednesday (April 17).

"The Ram Navami Processions were disrupted and attacked at various places across the State of West Bengal, due to the CM's provocative speech which successfully incited miscreants, who were assured that the Law enforcement Agency won't act against them as their hands have been tied due to CM's public stance on Ram Navami; a day, which according to her, 'Is a day for Rioting'," he tweeted on Thursday (April 18).

He also requested the Election Commission to take action against the Bengal Chief Minister, saying that her "provocation led to such untoward incidents".

Around 20 people were injured after stones were pelted at the procession in Rejinagar from rooftops on Wednesday. Large gatherings have been banned in the region under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Several videos of the clashes surfaced on social media. Police resorted to lathi charge as the situation escalated and fired gas shells as well to disperse the crowd. The BJP alleged that shops were vandalised.

The injured people have been admitted to Murshidabad Medical College. The situation was later brought under control and additional forces have been deployed to maintain law and order.