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Ram Navami Violence: Babul Supriyo barred from entering tense Asansol-Raniganj area, booked for assaulting officer

FIR against Babul Supriyo in Asansol for allegedly assaulting an IPS officer

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An FIR was lodged against Union Minister Babul Supriyo in Asansol today for allegedly assaulting an IPS officer during a scuffle which broke out as he tried to enter the violence affected which has been on the boil since Sunday, over clashes following a Ram Navami rally. 

Supriyo claimed that two FIRs were lodged against him after which he also filed a complaint against the police. However, there was no confirmation from the police whether such FIRs were lodged or not.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today held a high-level meeting at the secretariat after her return from Delhi. Chief secretary, home secretary, DGP and ADGP (law and order) were present at the meeting. Banerjee did not comment on the situation at Asansol-Raniganj.

Speaking to TV channel ABP Ananda, Supriyo claimed he had learnt that two first information reports (FIR) were lodged against him after he had tried to enter the Asansol-Raniganj area, which led to a heated verbal exchange between him and the cops.

Supriyo, a senior West Bengal BJP leader, was stopped by police from entering the Asansol-Raniganj area, where the situation continued to remain tense after violence erupted over a Ram Navami procession.

 

Supriyo, the Minister of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and MP from Asansol, tried to enter the Railpar area in Paschim Bardhaman district, where police stopped his car, citing security reasons.

Reportedly, a group of people shouted slogans against the minister and demanded that he immediately leave the area. TV footage showed him engaged in a verbal duel with police personnel, who had surrounded his vehicle.

A scuffle broke out during which he allegedly assaulted an IPS officer on duty. 

An FIR was lodged at the at North Asansol police station against Supriyo for violation of section 144 and assault against the officer, ANI reported. 

"As a public representative, I have every right to visit my constituency, especially when people are in trouble. It is my duty. But the police is saying I won't be allowed to go as Section 144 is imposed in the area. Being a minister, I cannot violate rules," Supriyo said.

He said he would inform Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh about the incident.

 

"People of Ranigunj are attacked, police force is outnumbered and severely injured. And Mamata Government could only muster cutting off internet connectivity for 2 days? Because goons on the streets have been downloading weapons and bombs off the internet, is it now?," he said in a tweet accompanied by hashtag #SackMamataGovt, in a reference to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. 

The minister, earlier this week, had blamed inaction on part of the police for Sunday's violence over Ram Navami celebrations in Raniganj, neighbouring Asansol.

Earlier, authorities placed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC and also suspended internet services following clashes between two groups on Sunday and Monday over a Ram Navami rally at Raniganj.

However, no fresh incident of violence was reported from the area since last night, police said.

West Bengal BJP Mahila Morcha president Locket Chatterjee, who was en route to Raniganj, was also stopped by police at Durgapur. In protest, the actress-turned-politician staged a sit-in.
Supriyo claimed that only the deployment of central forces can bring back peace in the area as locals do not have faith in the police.

Reacting to both the incidents, West Bengal Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee alleged that the BJP was trying to destroy the communal peace and harmony in the state.

"When the police is patrolling the area why do they want to visit Raniganj? Are they not satisfied after unleashing violence for the last two days," he said.

Senior TMC leader and Mayor of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Jitendra Tiwari, accused Supriyo of trying to disturb peace in the area.

A senior district police official said a huge contingent of the police and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) is patrolling the area.

 

"There have been no fresh incidents of violence, although Section 144 is still imposed in the area," he said, adding, the situation is still tense.

One person was killed and two police officers were injured in the violence on Sunday and Monday.

Senior IPS officers Jawed Shamim, Siddhinath Gupta and Vineet Goyal have been deputed on special duty to bring the situation under control.

Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi has also been advised not to visit Durgapur to see a police officer injured in the violence in Raniganj in view of deployment of police in the area, an official release said yesterday.

(With PTI inputs) 

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