129 arrested for Hooghly violence, Net freeze on

Chandernagore: As many as 129 people have been arrested for the Telinipara violence over the past two days while police commissioner Humayun Kabir led a contingent of combat forces into the troubled spots on Thursday morning and urged residents to maintain peace and report lockdown violations.
The internet ban in Chandernagore and Serampore subdivisional towns will continue till Sunday evening, police said.
The state home department issued a statement that said “strong action” had been taken against those who had incited violence in Telinipara and that more arrests were on the cards. “Senior officers, along with forces, are patrolling the area round the clock. The administration is committed to ensuring peace. Some people are trying to spread the ‘communal virus’ to further their political interests. Strong legal action is being taken against such persons,” it said.
The arrests, however, prompted a group of women to defy physical distancing protocol and agitate outside Chandernagore police station. They demanded immediate release of those arrested or detained for questioning. Police quelled the protest and said the men could be released only after court orders.
Kabir and Hooghly district magistrate Y Ratnakar Rao said the situation was currently peaceful and “under control”. In the troubled zone, police used loud-hailers asking people to report lockdown violations to Telinipara outpost. They urged people to remain indoors and avoid those trying to trigger violence.
District president of Trinamool Congress Dilip Yadav blamed BJP leaders for the clashes. “They are losing ground here and spreading fake news on social media to instigate people.” The BJP’s Hooghly MP Locket Chatterjee rubbished the charges and said: “If anyone is responsible for the violence, it is the inept administration.”
The internet clampdown, meanwhile, evoked mixed response in Chandernagore. “Police should do whatever it takes to stop violence. Yes, without internet and mobile phone connectivity it is difficult, but this is a small price for peace in the neighbourhood,” said homemaker Mousumi Dey. Guardians of school-goers and traders, however, said the clampdown was affecting online studies and business.