Asansol: West Bengal authorities lifted prohibitory orders in the riot-hit areas of Asansol and Raniganj on Monday with normalcy returning to the region, according to the police.

The route march organized by the security forces has also been withdrawn from those areas along with the decrease in picket’s strength from today, a senior police official said.

“The situation in Asansol and Raniganj is largely peaceful and life has returned to normal,” Sub division officer (SDO) Pralay Row Chowdhury said.

However, authorities did not lift internet services and will remain suspended in the region till April 4, the police official added.

The National Human Rights Commission sent a notice today to the West Bengal government and also to the state’s police head over alleged failure of law enforcement agencies “in protecting the liberty and dignity” of general public, who have become victims of deadly violence in the Asansol-Raniganj area during Ram Navami celebrations.

Terming the ongoing situation in the area as concerning, the national body NHRC has issued notices to seek a detailed report in four weeks from state’s chief secretary, home secretary and the director general of police, senior officials said.

The human rights panel said in a statement that directed its director general (Investigation) to appoint a team headed by an officer of the rank SSP or above to pay a visit to the affected areas of Asansol-Raniganj to get spot investigation done or to inquire to assess the actual current situation and submit a report of the same within the time frame of three weeks.

The riots started in the area, after a clash broke out between two groups over a Ram Navami procession in the Raniganj area of Bardhaman West district. The clash took the life of one person and injured two police officers.

The violence quickly spread to areas in Asansol which prompted the police to suspend Internet services and clamp prohibitory orders under Section 144 in the disturbed areas of the district.

A BJP Party delegation also paid a visit to the trouble-torn areas and put the blame on ruling Trinamool Congress government for “failure” to control the violence.

West Bengal Governor KN Tripathi had personally met the victims of the violence on Saturday and appealed for peace, saying people from all religions need to respect each other’s festivals.

The state of West Bengal has reported a number of recent riot-incidents. The ruling party puts the blame on Hindutva related groups for inciting violence to gain mileage for elections. Playing the Hindutva card has become a common tactic to control majority community in voting for them. This is the main reason that violence was reported from several parts of India recently. General public need to come out openly and express themselves.

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