Tension grips Bengal's Maheshtala amid clash over temple vandalism, 13 arrested
Tension gripped in Bengal's Maheshtala in South 24 Parganas after a violent clash broke out between two groups, leading to the alleged vandalism of a Shiva temple. The situation prompted heavy police deployment and the prohibitory order of Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) has been imposed to maintain law and order.According to police sources, 13 people have been arrested so far in connection with the incident, and raids are ongoing. 'Raids are presently underway, and additional personnel remain deployed. Several arrests were made,' a police officer said.advertisementThe unrest reportedly started after a dispute over the construction of shops in front of a Shiva temple in Maheshtala. Local residents opposed the move and instead built a small Tulsi Mandir, which allegedly triggered a violent backlash.
As per eyewitnesses, chaos broke out when mobs pelted stones at police, torched vehicles, and clashed with authorities outside the Rabindranagar Police Station. 'Bricks were hurled from rooftops, tyres were set ablaze on the roads, and miscreants torched a motorbike in front of the police station,' said a police officer. 'Several police vehicles were damaged, and at least one police personnel was left bleeding after being hit by a brick.'To contain the violence, police fired tear gas shells, and reinforcements from Kolkata and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were deployed. Several police personnel, including a woman constable, sustained injuries during the stone pelting.advertisementThe BJP launched a political offensive over the incident. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari led a protest outside the West Bengal Police headquarters in Alipore, demanding the deployment of central forces. He accused the state government of allowing the violence to spiral unchecked.'The Hindu community in Rabindranagar has been subjected to looting, arson, and violence for hours while the police watched silently. Several police vehicles were set on fire, yet there was no effective intervention,' Adhikari said.He further claimed that DGP Rajiv Kumar refused to meet him. 'Despite such grave attacks on police, the top brass seem indifferent. I will move Calcutta High Court tomorrow seeking urgent intervention and central forces, as ordered earlier during communal tension in Murshidabad.'BJP IT Cell Chief also said in, posting on X: 'West Bengal is burning in communal fire once again and Hindus are the target. This is not governance. This is total surrender to mob rule all for vote-bank politics. West Bengal Home Minister Mamata Banerjee is silent.'Accompanied by several BJP MLAs and Hindu monks, Adhikari said, 'Monks have received desperate calls from residents in the area seeking protection. This is a complete breakdown of governance.'The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) dismissed the BJP's claims and accused the party of politicising a local dispute. 'All necessary steps have been taken to control the situation. The police acted swiftly and with firmness. The BJP is trying to give a communal colour to what was essentially a dispute over setting up a shop,' said TMC spokesperson and state general secretary Kunal Ghosh.advertisementCondemning the violence, Kolkata Mayor and senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim said, 'We wish a speedy recovery to the injured police personnel. At the same time, we strongly condemn the BJP's attempt to communalise and politicise a sensitive issue.' He accused the BJP of attempting to 'disturb the peace and harmony of Bengal.'
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