Clashes in North 24-Parganas: BJP report blames ‘outsider Muslims’, councillor points to ailing economy

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The clashes at Hazinagar and Halisahar, which began on Wednesday, left several people injured. An estimated 30 homes and several shops were ransacked or set on fire. On Thursday, the police said the situation was under control and that officials in the administration had begun assessing the damage.

In its report, the BJP alleged that during the violence, “Hindu-owned houses and shops were destroyed by outsider Muslim goons from Nayabazar area”.

However, Ravishankar Singh, BJP councillor from ward 23 at Halishahar, said this view was simplistic. “The issue is not as simple as some people coming from outside and causing violence. It has been growing for a couple of years but no one bothered to address it. Every year, during Ram Navami, the Muslim community objects to the procession, and the same thing happens on Muharram. Every year, Hindu and Muslim boys cause mischief because of vested interests. The administration was aware of this, but because elections were around the corner, they did not take definitive action,” he said.

Singh said that in his ward, there are about 140 homeless people from both communities. “Religion is the last thing on their minds… The problem is that the jute mills aren’t as vibrant as they used to be. So there are a lot of unemployed, uneducated youths getting radicalised,” he said.

Police officials said the economy of Hazinagar has traditionally been dependent on jute mills. A large section of the local Hindu population migrated here from Bihar and eastern UP after Independence, while the Muslim population has been here since pre-Independence times. However, the divide was largely “cultural” and not religious. This changed with the weakening jute industry, the officials said.

“There is anxiety among workers because of decreasing employment. The workers’ unions have weakened. So, there are criminal gangs dealing with petty theft and narcotics. The Hooghly river makes it convenient for smugglers,” said a senior police officer.

Work was affected at the ailing jute mills since last week. As one worker, Imran Ali, put it, “It is not a question of religion once you realise that the violence has left you wondering where your next meal will come from.”

Meanwhile, police sources said that the complaints received by them ranged from arson to loot of jewellery, and that investigation was on.

The state government has claimed that the incident “was not communal” in nature but the result of personal enmity. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee put out a message on Twitter condemning “communal terrorism”. The opposition, however, is not convinced, with the BJP, Congress and Left training their guns on the ruling party.