A provision for providing transport facility to the examinees was also made so that the students could reach their respective exam centres safely.

This, even as Section 144 of the CrPC remained in place for the second consecutive day.

“We have provided five buses to ferry candidates to the centres, if necessary. The buses have been kept at Panchla police station,” said Howrah District Magistrate (DM) Khalil Ahmed.

“Eight people have been arrested in connection with the clashes,” police said.

Howrah SP Neeraj Kumar Singh said that despite the arrests and the situation appearing to be under control, police pickets have been posted to prevent any untoward incident.

“Rapid Action Force personnel have been kept on a stand-by,” he added.

Due to the restrictions posed on assembly of groups and the overnight violence in which about 25 houses were set ablaze and over thirty shops ransacked, Panchla wore a deserted look with business establishments remaining closed.

But traffic along the National Highway 6 was unaffected, police said.