West Bengal: Violence in several districts during Muharram, Hindus were targeted and attacked 

Like the previous years, this year also West Bengal witnessed violence during the Muharram procession. Islamists inflicted violence among common Hindus in several districts of West Bengal- Ratha Yatra attacked, stones were pelted towards Hindus and Hindu-owned shops and houses were targeted and vandalized. In the Salap area under the jurisdiction of the Domjur Police Station of Howrah district, Islamists attacked the Rath Yatra procession. 

On the evening of 5th of July, Saturday, Hindu residents of the Salap area were celebrating Ulto Rath Yatra(return Rath Yatra). The Salap area comes under the jurisdiction of the Domjur Police Station. Local Hindus have been celebrating the Rath Yatra for the last 40 years. But, this year, Islamists attacked the yatra. At least 14 Hindus were injured. 

On the night of the 6th of July, in Bauria of Howrah district, the Muharram procession turned violent and targeted the innocent Hindus of the area. Islamists pelted a massive amount of stones towards the Hindus. Some Hindus were injured. Local Hindus said that a Hindu temple was targeted by the Islamists who were on the Muharram procession.

Another case of violence has been received from the Malda district where the Muharram procession turned violent and subsequently Hindus were attacked. As per the local sources, In Lakshmikantapur village under the jurisdiction of the English Bazaar Police Station, some Islamists from the Muharram procession attacked and vandalized Hindu-owned houses and shops. However, the Police immediately rushed to the spot and controlled the situation. Later, the police released a statement on the official Facebook page and termed the incident as ‘small issue’. 

Besides, in several districts, on the occasion of Muharram, Islamists were extorting money from the common Hindus openly on the roads. In Bhgawanpur of the East Medinipur district, Hindus were beaten as they didn’t pay money to the Islamists as their demand.

In Sainthia of the Birbhum district, Islamists smashed the head of a Hindu boy with a brick as he didn’t pay the money to the Islamists as they were extorting money on the occasion of the Muharram.