Mamata Banerjee said the governor humiliated her over the communal unrest in North 24 Parganas.
Highlights
- Clashes in Bengal's North 24 Parganas over Facebook post about Prophet
- 17-year-old student arrested for offensive post
- Centre rushes 400 Border Security Force personnel to state
The West Bengal government has been asked by the Home Ministry for a report on the communal violence that has engulfed North 24 Parganas over a Facebook post. The centre yesterday rushed about 400 paramilitary personnel to the state after clashes in many areas near Kolkata.
The violence erupted over the "objectionable" post on Friday about Prophet Mohammed by a 17-year-old student in Baduria, who has been arrested.
A violent mob put up road blockades at several places yesterday, attacked members of a different community and destroyed shops, said the police.
On Monday, large crowds had blocked roads and rail tracks in towns in North 24 Parganas adjoining Kolkata. The violence started in Baduria, around 70 km from the state capital, and spread to other parts of the district.
Kolkata Police, in a tweet, asked people to not spread rumours.Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi discussed the situation with Home Minister Rajnath Singh after speaking on the phone to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The governor's office issued a statement last night responding to Ms Banerjee's charge that she had been "threatened and humiliated". The governor had asked the Chief Minister to ensure peace and law and order by all means, said the statement, adding: "The Hon'ble Governor cannot remain a mute spectator of the affairs in the state."
There was nothing in the talks that would have left the Chief Minister feeling insulted, threatened or humiliated, said the statement from Mr Tripathi's office, expressing surprise over her "attitude and language".
Ms Banerjee had said earlier: "The way the governor spoke to me was like a BJP block leader. I was threatened, humiliated, I thought of leaving (quitting)... I was so insulted."
In an unprecedented outburst, she railed: "The governor's behaviour was unacceptable. How dare he talk to me about law and order?"
Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi alleged today that "anti-social elements" in Bengal were running a parallel government under state protection.