Basirhat violence: Centre sends four BSF companies to riot-hit areas; North 24 Parganas SP removed

As the communal clashes in North 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal, that broke out over an objectionable post on Facebook, refuse to fall down even after days, the central government on Saturday sent four Border Security Force (BSF) companies to violence-hit areas.

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Kolkata: As the communal clashes in North 24 Paraganas district of West Bengal, that broke out over an objectionable Facebook post, refuse to die down even after days, the Centre on Saturday sent four Border Security Force (BSF) companies to violence-hit areas to assist the state police in containing the communal outbreak.

According to MHA sources, the Mamata Banerjee-run West Bengal government had earlier returned the nearly 400 central troops sent to it two days ago without citing any reason for its decision.

As per sources, four companies of the BSF, comprising 400 personnel, were sent initially to assist the state police in containing the communal outbreak in Basirhat and Baduria.

On Darjeeling violence, the home ministry sources claimed that enough forces had been sent. Of the 1,100 troops sent so far, the state recently asked for around 100 women CRPF personnel to be withdrawn. It also asked SSB battalions deployed there to be replaced with CRPF.

The violence between two communities at Baduria under Basirhat sub-division in the district started over a Facebook post following which a young man was arrested, the police said today.

Following an outrage on social media, violent mob put up road blockades at several places and attacked members of other community, besides destroying many shops, they said.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Chief Minister while speaking to media today said that the state government will soon set up a judicial inquiry to probe Baduria-Basirhat riots in North 24 Parganas district. 

"We will conduct a judicial enquiry into the Basirhat incident. Action will be taken for spreading fake pictures and videos. The law will take its own course," she said, while addressing a press conference here.

"There is ‘Fakebook’ happening in the name of Facebook. I respect Facebook but not ‘Fakebook’," she said. 

Earlier on Thursday, Mamata had requested the Opposition to refrain from reaching the communal-sensitive areas of North 24 Paraganas.

The State Government has temporarily suspended internet services in four police station areas of Basirhat, Baduria, Swarupnagar and Deganga to check the spread of rumours through social networking sites.

On the other hand, the state government has removed North 24 Parganas Superintendent of Police (SP) Bhaskar Mukherjee and has appointed C. Sudhakar Rao to take over the post. This apart, nine other IPS officers were transferred across the state braving multiple protests in Darjeeling too.

The action by the state government came in the wake of mounting pressure from the opposition parties for stern action against accused persons of the communal violence that left several injured, shops vandalised and houses burnt.