Bengal BJP submits memorandum to Governor, seeks armed forces deployment

The West Bengal BJP submitted a memorandum to Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday seeking the deployment of paramilitary forces in the state over the violent protests in Howrah and Murshidabad against the controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal.

"The deployment of mobile squads of Central paramilitary forces in affected areas, including route marches in extra-sensitive zones. If the grave situation persists, the deployment of the army should be seriously considered", stated the BJP letter.

"Those who organized the mobs and delivered inflammatory hate speeches have been identified on CCTV. They should be booked under relevant sections of the IPC", added the BJP.

According to them, the attacks on BJP offices in different parts of the state were orchestrated and aimed at intimidating the Opposition.

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday expressed concerns over the worsening law and order situation in the state, days after protests erupted in parts of West Bengal.

In a tweet today, Dhankar wrote, "Since June 09 in particular there has been awful administration failure that took no preventive and precautionary measures. Lawbreakers were allowed to have free for all. Only prompt exemplary action can be deterrent. Over a month, the situation has been a cause of concern."

Protests erupted in several states across the country over remarks made by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on the Prophet Muhammad. Demonstrations were carried out in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Jharkhand and West Bengal after Friday prayers.

The protestors carried placards demanding Nupur Sharma's arrest. Incidents of stone-pelting were reported in several States as protestors clashed with police.

For the second day, protests in Murshidabad took a violent turn with protesters hurling bricks at cops when they tried to disperse the crowd near NH-34. The West Bengal police resorted to lathi-charge and firing tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Few cops were injured in the stone-pelting.

Notably, a controversy erupted over suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest.

However, India on Thursday reiterated that the controversial remarks concerning Prophet Muhammad do not reflect the views of the Government and added that action has been taken by concerned quarters against those who made the comment.