Kolkata, March 27 Tension gripped parts of the Murshidabad district in West Bengal on Friday after clashes broke out during Ram Navami processions, with reports of stone-throwing, vandalism, and arson coming from multiple locations, police said.
Security was tightened in the affected Jangipur and Raghunathganj areas, according to the police. No arrests were made as of the time of this report.
The situation turned volatile after an argument during a procession escalated into violence, with two groups pelting stones at each other and damaging property in the area, a senior police officer said.
The officer said that as part of the celebration, people in a large procession were heading towards Mackenzie Park in Raghunathganj when the trouble began. In the Sisatala locality, an argument over music being played during a procession led to a clash between participants and locals.
Tension flared again near the Phultala Crossing when the procession reached the area, following incidents of stone-throwing. Shops were vandalized and set on fire, further aggravating the situation.
Security forces were deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control, and have since been conducting route marches and maintaining vigil in the affected areas, the officer said.
"The situation is now under control. Adequate forces have been deployed, and patrolling is ongoing to ensure peace and normalcy. We are closely monitoring the situation and will take strict action against those involved in the violence," the officer told