Dhulagarh communal clash: SP of Howrah (Rural) transferred

Sabyasachi Raman Mishra has been transferred to the Sealdah GRP as a SRP, while the Bengal government has posted IPS officer Debasish Bej as the new DC (Traffic) of Howrah Police Commissionerate, reports said.

Earlier on Dec 12, people of two communities were engaged in a clash with each other at Dhulagarh over a religious procession to mark the birth anniversary of Holy Prophet.

During the clash, few crude bombs were allegedly hurled by one community, several houses, shops and a temple were reportedly vandalized, locals were looted and motorcycles, cycles and few homes were set on fire.

According to locals, several people were injured after being beaten up by the attackers.

The violence lasted for two more days at the area, which triggered tension at the village, locals alleged.

A heavy police force along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed in the area, CrPC section 144 was imposed and few police pickets were set up at the village to control the situation.

Police have booked at least 50 people so far from the area for allegedly creating violence, while all types of movements have been restricted there to maintain law and order, according to reports.

Leaders of BJP and Congress went to Dhulagarh to witness violence hit area's situation on Tuesday and Monday respectively and both teams were prevented by the police from entering the village.

However, former Howrah (Rural) SP, Sabyasachi Raman Mishra, avoided to comment on his sudden transfer, while government officials refused to speak anything about the reason behind the IPS official's replacement.

(Reporting by Deepayan Sinha)