Asansol Violence: Imam, who lost his son in riots, appeals for peace

The imam of a mosque in West Bengal, whose 16-year-old son’s body was recovered on Thursday, has appealed for peace at Idgah Maidan in Asansol on Friday.

“My son has died, but I don’t want anyone else to lose his child,” the Imam told the people, who came to the ground to pay their condolences.

“I only want peace to return here. If you strike back, I shall leave this town,” the imam told the people who visited Idgah Ground, where his son was burried.

The body of Maulana Imdadul Rashidi’s son Sibtulla Rashidi’s son was found on Wednesday after he went missing on Tuesday.

The industrial town has witnessed several incidents of violence after a clash between two groups broke out during the Ram Navami celebrations last Sunday.

According to police, Sibtulla’s body was found from Railpur area of the town. He was the youngest son of the Imam.

“A case has been registered,” police commissioner LN Meena said.

Trinamool Congress MLA of Asansol South Tapas Banerjee and Former Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP Kabir Suman lauded the cleric and said “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should not only organise a public function to honour him, but also recommend him for Bharat Ratna.”