Beldanga Clash
Bengal: 17 arrested in clashes between two groups in Murshidabad's Beldanga over Kartik Puja pandal row
Kolkata/IBNS: Seventeen people have been arrested in connection with clashes between two groups at Beldanga in West Bengal's Murshidabad district as communal tension brewed in the region, media reports said.
The internet has been shut down in areas like Baharampur, Salar, Domkal, Jangipur and Shamsherganj.
Prohibitory orders under BNS Section 163 have been imposed in Beldanga, Kazisaha and Begurban.
Six people were injured in the clash while casualty was reported, police said. The injured are under treatment.
The clash erupted after a video message outside the Kartik Puja pandal allegedly cursing 'Allah' was circulated on social media.
Soon after, a group of people arrived at Ganeshtala and vandalised the gate of the pandal.
In retaliation, another group of people vandalised an area nearby with sticks and weapons.
The clashes continued till 10 pm and several trains passing Beldanga were halted.
Former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Dilip Ghosh, who was not allowed to enter Beldanga, said, "Those taking the law into their own hands should be dealt with in a language they understand by the administration.
"Creating disturbances during Hindu festivals to shut them down has become a trend. This cannot be allowed to continue."
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