53 arrested after violence over Prophet remarks in West Bengal's Howrah

At least 53 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in West Bengal's Howrah after Friday prayers over controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The state government has also removed Howrah's top cop after arson and unrest.

Howrah Police Commissioner C Sudhakar and (rural) SP Soumya Roy were removed from the post and IPS Praveen Tripathi has been appointed as the new commissioner. IPS Swati Bhangalia is the new Howrah (rural) SP.

Out of 53, 21 people were arrested from Sankrail area, five from Panchla, five from Domjur, 18 from Rajapur and three from Ulberia. All those arrested were produced



in Howrah district court and Uluberia court today. They have been sent to jail for 14 days.

Meanwhile, internet services have been suspended in Murshidabad's Beldanga a day after protesters pelted policemen with stones, injuring some of them.

Agitators resorted to stone-pelting, setting police vehicles on fire and damaging public property during violent protests and clashes with the law enforcers in the district on Friday.

Internet services have been suspended across the district till June 13 and prohibitory orders imposed in several areas such as Uluberia, Domjur and Panchla will remain till June 15.