Mamata Banerjee releases song for Chhath Puja, played at ghats across Bengal
A violent clash erupted in the Kamalpur area under Shyampur police station in rural Howrah during Durga Puja, triggered by a painting competition organized by the Shyampur Bazar Vyavasayi Samiti. The competition, held on Saturday, called for children to draw pictures of sages, but one child’s artwork depicting a prophet from a specific community ignited widespread outrage.
After the painting was displayed in a Puja pandal as a message of mutual harmony, objections arose from some community members. To diffuse the situation, police intervened, and the controversial image was promptly removed by the Puja organizers. However, tensions flared again on Sunday when a group from the community approached the Shyampur police station to submit a memorandum protesting the incident.
During this time, miscreants began vandalizing the police station and pelting stones at officers, leading to significant unrest. Vehicles parked outside the station were set ablaze, and two to three Durga Puja pandals in the vicinity were vandalized, with attempts made to set the idols on fire. The rioters also blocked roads by burning tires in various locations.
In response to the escalating violence, senior officials, including DG Rajiv Kumar, ADG Supratim Sarkar, and City Police Commissioner Praveen Tripathi, rushed to the scene to manage the situation. A heavy police presence, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and combat personnel, was deployed to restore order, and police patrolling is ongoing to maintain safety in the area.
As tensions continued, authorities imposed Section 163 to prevent further gatherings and violence. Swati Bhangalia, the Superintendent of Police, reported that the situation is now under control, with 30 individuals arrested for their involvement in the unrest. She urged the community to uphold peace and communal harmony.