Basirhat violence: BJP, CPM and Congress delegations stopped from entering violence-hit area in WB

A day after fresh clashes were reported in West Bengal’s Basirhat late Thursday night, the delegations led by BJP and CPI (M) and Congress were on Friday stopped from entering the riot-affected area. The West Bengal government has declared a ban on some organisations for allegedly inciting mob violence in the state.

On Thursday, police used tear gas shells and resorted to lathicharge at the irate mobs as fresh violence had erupted in the area. Sources said that the mob was angry as the police were only detaining Hindu youths and that they were only searching Hindu homes in Basirhat.

Here are the LIVE updates:

#12:45 PM

 West Bengal: BJP MP Rupa Ganguly detained by Police while on her way to Basirhat

West Bengal: BJP MP Rupa Ganguly detained by Police while on her way to #Basirhat pic.twitter.com/3RGR0o4fGM

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 7, 2017

#12:10 PM

WB: Congress delegation led by Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury stopped at Barasat. BJP MP Roopa Ganguly stopped at Michael Nagar Basirhat

#12:00 PM

WB: Left delegation led by CPI (M) MP Mohammed Salim made a second attempt to reach #Basirhat but were stopped by security forces

#10:15 AM

WB: CPI (M) MP Mohammed Salim who is leading a Left delegation has been stopped 50 kms before #Basirhat. Heavy deployment of security forces

#10:00 AM

West Bengal: CPI (M) MP Mohammed Salim arrives in Barasat, he is leading a Left delegation to violence hit Basirhat

#7:30 AM

West Bengal: Congress, BJP and Left delegations to visit violence hit #Basirhat today

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BJP, Left and Congress leaders were stopped from going to Baduria in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district as the situation was volatile following communal clashes earlier this week, officials said.

“The situation is still tense. We have not allowed any delegation to go there as it might create problems,” a senior district official said.

“We have been stopped near Ashoknagar area on the grounds that if we go to those areas it might create law and order problem. But we are not going there for any political programme. We are going there to meet the people who have suffered due to riots,” Left Front legislative party leader Sujan Chakraborty said.

Chakraborty said the Left Front would organise a demonstration against the police and the TMC government in Barasat area of the district.

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The Congress team, led by WBPCC chief Adhir Chowdhury, was also stopped at Barasat for the same reason. The BJP team was led by state party president Dilip Ghosh.

Baduria and its adjoining areas witnessed a communal flare-up following a post by a youth on Facebook earlier this week.

Though the youth was arrested, members of two communities clashed, set up road blockades, damaged shops and set fire to vehicles. 

(With inputs from agencies)