Violence broke out in Bengal's Hooghly today during a BJP procession
A BJP MLA was injured in violence that broke out on Sunday in West Bengal's Hooghly while the party was taking out a procession themed on Ram Navami.
Earlier this week too, clashes had erupted between two groups in Bengal's Howrah during a Ram Navami procession.
BJP national vice president Dilip Ghosh participated at the 'Ram Navami shobha yatra' today. The injured MLA, Biman Ghosh, has been hospitalised.
The police said local internet services have been snapped for the next 24 hours and large gatherings have been banned.
Visuals of the procession show people running for safety amid stone-throwing.
The Ram Navami procession played loud music with DJ and some people carried swords in front of a mosque, police sources told NDTV, adding the rally started late and beyond the permitted time.
The violence started after rumours spread that a mosque had been targeted, the sources said.
Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said those responsible for the violence will be charged tonight and jailed.
"Reinforcement has been rushed to the spot. The culprits will be charged tonight itself and put behind bars. We're determined. This kind of hooliganism thwarts democratic processes," Mr Bose said.
Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar alleged the Trinamool Congress was behind the violence today. "BJP Shobha yatra attacked in Hooghly. The reason is simple and clear. Mamata Banerjee hates Hindus," Mr Majumdar tweeted.
The situation in Howrah, some 40 km from Hooghly, is peaceful and under control, the police said. Shops and markets opened as traffic movement started from morning.
On Thursday, clashes broke out between two groups when a Ram Navami procession was passing through Kazipara in Howrah town.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the BJP and other right-wing groups were behind the violence.
The BJP denied the allegations and demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the matter.
The Governor and Ms Banerjee have also discussed the issue.
