At least 20 individuals sustained injuries, with one woman critically wounded, purportedly from stone-pelting during a Ram Navami procession in the Rejinagar area of Murshidabad, West Bengal.

While there were reports of a crude bomb detonating as the procession neared its conclusion, the police did not confirm the incident.

"A total of 20 people have been injured in the incident. A woman who sustained serious injuries has been admitted to Murshidabad Medical College & Hospital. The others have been taken to the local hospital," stated a police officer.

According to sources, miscreants hurled stones at the procession from the roof of a house, triggering a bout of violence. Substantial police forces have been stationed in the area. Earlier in the week, the Election Commission replaced the DIG of Murshidabad following unrest in the Kamnagar area, where prohibitory orders are now in effect.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who had previously voiced concerns about potential violence during Ram Navami and had accused the BJP of potentially instigating unrest to influence the Lok Sabha elections, stated that the Election Commission would be held accountable for any violence in Murshidabad.

After the violence in Murshidabad, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, criticised the chief minister, accusing her of provocation. Adhikari alleged that police fired tear gas shells to disperse the procession.

Adhikari accused the police of joining the miscreants in the attack and claimed that tear gas shells were fired on Ram devotees to abruptly end the procession, as posted on X.

Adhikari blamed Mamata Banerjee for provoking and inciting violence, calling for the replacement of the state government to ensure peaceful and incident-free celebrations of religious festivals in West Bengal. He urged the Election Commission to take note of the police's failure.

BJP Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya blamed Mamata Banerjee for the incident, citing her alleged hostility towards Ram devotees. The party's official handle on X claimed that Mamata's incompetence led to Hindus being targeted during Ramanavami celebrations in Rejinagar, Murshidabad.

Violence broke out last year in Hooghly district’s Rishra and Shibpur in Howrah during Ram Navami, with both communities making claims and counter-claims about the origins of the first thrown stones.

Image source: Indian Express