Kolkata, April 03
Seven persons were arrested on Thursday in connection with violence in Barasat, North 24 Parganas following a fire in a madrassa on Wednesday. Violence had erupted in Barasat on Wednesday after a mysterious fire broke out at the Kharezi madrasa in Ward 22. Locals had alleged that miscreants had broken into the madrasa's library and set fire to several religious manuscripts. An enraged mob attacked police vehicles and manhandled police officers before a strong Rapid Action Force (RAF) contingent was deployed to restore peace. Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee had also visited Barasat on Wednesday.
Police said that scattered incidents of violence where several vehicles were damaged, and arterial thoroughfares such as the NH-34 remained blocked to traffic was reported.
Raj Kanojia, IGP (Law and Order) said that the response to the 12-hour bandh call was 'mixed'. Sources added that an all-party meeting was also held at the District Magistrate's office on Thursday.
Sources said that some persons from a city-based news channel suffered minor injuries, while covering the incidents of violence.
