Internet suspended after clashes in Bengal, Section 144 imposed

Clashes were reported between members of two groups in a few pockets of West Bengal’s 24 Parganas North district after a shopkeeper was found hanging in a local club, prompting the police to issue prohibitory orders on people’s movements and temporary suspension of internet.

The prohibitory orders were clamped in Deganga, Amdanga and Duttapukur areas of the district, police sources said, while describing the situation as “under control”. The police would review the situation before resuming the internet services or relaxing the orders enforced under section 144 of the Indian Penal Code, sources said

Twelve people have been taken into custody after the Tuesday evening clashes that followed the discovery of the body of the shopkeeper.

The shopkeeper, who had put up a stall at a local programme, had reportedly quarrelled with a woman during trade. He was found hanging inside a local club, which triggered violence, with the deceased’s relatives running amok and indulging in loot and arson blaming club members for his death.

As the other side also retaliated police lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the two groups and managed to restore order.