WB beefs up security for Hanuman Jayanti after Ram Navami clashes

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to seek the help of paramilitary forces from the Center to ensure peace during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.

Following violent clashes on Ram Navami in West Bengal, three companies of central forces were deployed in the state on the orders of the Calcutta High Court to avert any untoward incident on Hanuman Jayanti on Thursday.

On Thursday, three companies of paramilitary forces were deployed in Kolkata, Barrackpore and Hooghly. "In Kolkata, one company of the central force was divided into several sections which were deployed in different areas including Charu Market, Hastings, Garden Reach, Ekbalpore, Girish Park, Kidderpore, Entally and Jorabagan, among others," said a police officer. .

Violent communal clashes broke out in Howrah, Hooghly and Uttar Dinajpur districts during Ram Navami celebrations last week and this week as well. The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday directed the West Bengal government to seek the help of paramilitary forces from the Center to ensure peace during the Hanuman Jayanti celebrations.

"Central Armed Police Force deployed in West Bengal to assist state police in maintaining law and order during Hanuman Jayanti," a spokesperson of the Union Home Ministry said on its official Twitter account on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Kolkata Police has already issued an alert for those who see permits for Hanuman Jayanti gatherings.

The list includes no motorcycle rallies, no fireworks, no DJs and no carrying of weapons including lathis among others. In Howrah, where clashes erupted last week, police set up barricades and monitored the rally with drones. Large contingents of police and the Rapid Deployment Force (RAF) were deployed. Security has also been tightened in Hooghly and Uttar Dinajpur districts.

“The Calcutta High Court could not trust the state police. Central forces have been deployed,” Suvendu Adhikari, BJP lawmaker and Leader of Opposition in the state legislative assembly, told reporters on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also welcomed the Supreme Court's order. "The Calcutta High Court order is good for us," Banerjee said while talking to reporters in East Midnapore district on Wednesday.