After Ram Navami standoff in Kolkata, police lathi-charge `illegal` Hanuman Jayanti procession in Birbhum

Last week, the Calcutta HC had to step in to ensure that a group of residents in Kolkata was given permission to perform Ram Navami puja.

Kolkata: The Hanuman Jayanti celebrations in West Bengal's Birbhum came to an abrupt end after the police lathi-charged devotees for taking out a procession without official permission.

TV visuals from the clash site showed the police baton-charging groups of young men carrying saffron flags.

As per the organisers of the Hanuman Jayanti procession, they had approached the district authorities and police seeking permission to take out a procession to mark the occasion but were repeatedly denied the same.  

Left with no option, they took out a peaceful procession, only to be lathi-charged by the police.

Last week, the Calcutta High Court had to step in to ensure that a group of residents in Kolkata was given permission to perform Ram Navami puja.

The court asked the Trinamool Congress-run South Dum Dum Municipality to grant permission immediately.

The court had also expressed displeasure at the civic body's failure to act on the group's plea pending for several days.

Organisers Lake Town Ram Navami Puja Committee had moved the High Court seeking direction to the municipal body to grant necessary permission, stating that its application had not been acted upon since it was made on March 22.