The Crossbill Team
Tension prevailed in parts of Murshidabad district a day after violence broke out during Ram Navami celebrations, prompting a heavy deployment of security personnel and multiple arrests as authorities moved to restore normalcy ahead of the Assembly elections.
A day after communal clashes in Raghunathganj in Murshidabad, 30 people have been arrested in connection with the violence on Friday during Ram Navami processions, officials of the Jangipur Police District said. A total of six cases have been filed by the police, including four registered suo motu.
Suspected BJP and Sangh Parivar members turned violent on Friday during a Ram Navami rally in a locality of Raghunathganj in Murshidabad’s Jangipur, ransacking around Muslim 40 shops and setting several of them on fire on Friday afternoon, triggering fresh concerns over communal tension in the region ahead of the Assembly polls.
The flashpoint, Fultala, located near the Jangipur subdivisional hospital, is a predominantly Muslim-inhabited locality where most homes, shops, fruit stalls and food outlets belong to members of the community.
According to local accounts, tensions escalated when a Ram Navami procession, accompanied by loud music and dancing, passed in front of a mosque nearly 200 metres from the Fultala crossing while Friday prayers were underway.
Objections raised by worshippers reportedly led to a heated exchange, after which the procession moved towards the Fultala intersection. Eyewitnesses alleged that people from a mob climbed onto rooftops of Muslim houses, hoisted saffron flags, vandalised establishments and assaulted residents.
The violence occurred within close proximity of the Raghunathganj police station. Residents claimed the unrest continued for a considerable period despite the presence of state police and central forces, alleging delayed intervention.
According to locals, police resorted to a lathicharge only after repeated appeals when the situation worsened.
Security has since been tightened across the town, with additional state and central forces conducting patrols and maintaining vigil in sensitive pockets. Police personnel have also been directed by the Chief Electoral Officer to remain alert and proactive to ensure law and order during the election period.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Jangipur MLA and All India Trinamool Congress candidate Zakir Hossain alleged a deliberate attempt to engineer communal unrest ahead of polls.
“The BJP has deliberately caused this incident before the elections. The party is facing internal factionalism in Jangipur and is trying to consolidate Hindu votes by creating communal unrest. Without understanding the consequences, they have triggered violence. I demand that the accused be arrested immediately,” he said.
A senior police officer said the situation became volatile after an altercation during the procession escalated into violence, with both sides throwing stones and damaging property.
“Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control. Central forces have been conducting route marches and maintaining vigil in the affected areas. The situation is now under control,” the officer told The Indian Express.
However, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jangipur president Subal Chandra Ghosh attributed the clashes to provocation from “the other side”.
“Every year we organise a Ram Navami procession which starts from Mackenzie Park and moves around the town, with participation from various Hindu organisations. This time, a group tried to stop the procession and blocked it at several points, which created tension. Our boys also pelted bricks in protest, and people from both sides were injured,” he told The Telegraph.
With Murshidabad being a minority-dominated district, observers say the incident has intensified concerns over communal polarisation as campaigning gathers momentum ahead of the state polls.
A day after communal clashes in Raghunathganj in Murshidabad, 30 people have been arrested in connection with the violence on Friday during Ram Navami processions, officials of the Jangipur Police District said. A total of six cases have been filed by the police, including four registered suo motu.
Suspected BJP and Sangh Parivar members turned violent on Friday during a Ram Navami rally in a locality of Raghunathganj in Murshidabad’s Jangipur, ransacking around Muslim 40 shops and setting several of them on fire on Friday afternoon, triggering fresh concerns over communal tension in the region ahead of the Assembly polls.
Raghunathganj, West Bengal: Yesterday, clashes broke out during a Ram Navami procession, resulting in violence, injuries, and arson; heavy security was deployed, and 30 people were arrested today in connection with the incident. pic.twitter.com/W0NAm6A8Q8
— IANS (@ians_india) March 28, 2026
The flashpoint, Fultala, located near the Jangipur subdivisional hospital, is a predominantly Muslim-inhabited locality where most homes, shops, fruit stalls and food outlets belong to members of the community.
According to local accounts, tensions escalated when a Ram Navami procession, accompanied by loud music and dancing, passed in front of a mosque nearly 200 metres from the Fultala crossing while Friday prayers were underway.
Objections raised by worshippers reportedly led to a heated exchange, after which the procession moved towards the Fultala intersection. Eyewitnesses alleged that people from a mob climbed onto rooftops of Muslim houses, hoisted saffron flags, vandalised establishments and assaulted residents.
The violence occurred within close proximity of the Raghunathganj police station. Residents claimed the unrest continued for a considerable period despite the presence of state police and central forces, alleging delayed intervention.
According to locals, police resorted to a lathicharge only after repeated appeals when the situation worsened.
Security has since been tightened across the town, with additional state and central forces conducting patrols and maintaining vigil in sensitive pockets. Police personnel have also been directed by the Chief Electoral Officer to remain alert and proactive to ensure law and order during the election period.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Jangipur MLA and All India Trinamool Congress candidate Zakir Hossain alleged a deliberate attempt to engineer communal unrest ahead of polls.
“The BJP has deliberately caused this incident before the elections. The party is facing internal factionalism in Jangipur and is trying to consolidate Hindu votes by creating communal unrest. Without understanding the consequences, they have triggered violence. I demand that the accused be arrested immediately,” he said.
A senior police officer said the situation became volatile after an altercation during the procession escalated into violence, with both sides throwing stones and damaging property.
“Security forces have been deployed in large numbers to bring the situation under control. Central forces have been conducting route marches and maintaining vigil in the affected areas. The situation is now under control,” the officer told The Indian Express.
However, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Jangipur president Subal Chandra Ghosh attributed the clashes to provocation from “the other side”.
“Every year we organise a Ram Navami procession which starts from Mackenzie Park and moves around the town, with participation from various Hindu organisations. This time, a group tried to stop the procession and blocked it at several points, which created tension. Our boys also pelted bricks in protest, and people from both sides were injured,” he told The Telegraph.
With Murshidabad being a minority-dominated district, observers say the incident has intensified concerns over communal polarisation as campaigning gathers momentum ahead of the state polls.
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