REPORT ON HOWRAH VIOLENCE OF 2022 Author------ Utank Banerjee

  

Introduction

In June 2022, the district of Howrah in West Bengal, India, was plunged into a state of fear and uncertainty as violent riots broke out across several areas. What initially began as a Jalsa in the vicinity of Bankra soon spiraled out of control, with Islamist mobs causing widespread destruction and chaos. Innocent civilians were caught up in the violence, leading to immense losses and damage to the community. This article delves deeper into the events that occurred in Howrah and the broader implications they hold for the region. At the center of the riots was Nupur Sharma, a courageous Hindu woman who quoted a verse from the Shahi-Al-Bukhari Verse 5134, but found herself targeted by the Islamist mob. This incident brings to the fore the deep-rooted animosity they hold against Hindus and highlights the need for greater measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.

 

9^th June, 2022. (Thursday)

        In the district of Howrah, in the vicinity of Bankra, a Jalsa was held late into the night, commencing around 10 PM to 11 PM, and extending until dawn. In the dead of night, a sudden uproar of slogans filled the air, carrying over great distances throughout the locality. The chants that were being voiced contained alarming messages of beheading Hindus, Nara-E-Takbeer, Allah Hu Akbar, and other similarly radical and violent expressions. As the night wore on, the slogans grew increasingly aggressive, becoming targeted at the Hindu community living across from Bankra, in Salap. This was accompanied by an influx of Islamist Mob congregating in Bankra, displaying a clear willingness to engage in illegal and unruly conduct.

 

In various parts of Howrah, particularly in the Muslim-majority areas, significant crowds gathered, intent on marching towards the sensitive zone to disrupt public life. At Ankurhati, where National Highway 116 intersects, a massive mob comprised of one religious group gathered, blocking the highway. The obstruction, which began in the morning, continued for an astounding 12 hours, causing tremendous suffering for innocent civilians who had no connection with the group's agenda. Nupur Sharma, who recounted a portion of the Hadith, was among those caught up in the turmoil. In the searing summer heat, trapped in their cars, innocent people were subjected to unbearable and inhumane conditions. The mob even damaged and burned the cars and bikes of innocent civilians. Everyone, from ambulance drivers to FMCG carriers, was blocked and unable to move through the area. Among the innocent victims was a cancer patient who was returning from treatment, forced to endure such deplorable conditions.

 

 

 

10^th June, 2022. (Friday)

Ankurhati-         On the morning following the initial incident, a raucous and disorderly mob once again assembled at the Ankurhati Crossing. However, the events that unfolded on Friday proved to be even more violent and destructive than the day before. Numerous vehicles, including cars and bikes, were ruthlessly destroyed, with some even being set ablaze. The situation escalated to such an extent that the mob went on to burn vehicles that were in the possession of law enforcement officials. It is worth noting that the vast majority of the damaged vehicles belonged to innocent members of the public who had no connection to the protesters' cause..

 

National Highway 6-     The peaceful passage of commuters was rudely interrupted by a group of Islamist protesters, who engaged in a series of disruptive and dangerous activities at multiple intersections. The mob resorted to burning tyres, hurling stones, and even breaking concrete dividers. In a horrifying display of violence, they proceeded to burn the cars of unsuspecting individuals and pelted stones at them. The National Highway 6 bore the brunt of their unruly behavior, leading to a complete fracture of the nation's daily commute for a full day..

 

Bankra and Salap-               The disturbing events of Thursday night left the entire locality on edge, with particular anxiety felt among the Hindu communities residing in Salap. Following the Jumma Namaz, provocative slogans were chanted from the stages where the Jalsa had occurred the night before. Soon, a massive wave of individuals belonging to the minority group descended upon Salap More, wreaking havoc and causing widespread destruction. Bombings were carried out from Bankra towards Salap, while stone-pelting became an all-too-common sight. The chaos persisted throughout the night and into the next day, with several shops belonging to Hindu community members being deliberately vandalized and burned. The mobs did not spare even the vehicles of law enforcement officials and innocent civilians, while public property was also targeted.

 

However, the most appalling incident was the shooting of gunshots from the Bridge of Salap, which specifically targeted the Hindu residents of Salap. It is clear from the actions of the Islamist mob that this was not a mere protest, but a calculated attempt to harm the Hindu community and their sentiments. In a display of utter disrespect, the 500-year-old Shamshan Kali Temple in Salap was also vandalized by the rampaging mob.

 

As night fell once again, bombings resumed in Salap, adding to the already heightened sense of fear and danger felt by the local populace.

 

Chengail & its Surroudings-          The Railway Station located at Chengail suffered severe destruction at the hands of the Islamist mob, leading to a complete obstruction of train travel in the area. Public property was not spared, as several structures were destroyed in the course of their violent rampage. The situation took a turn for the worse when the mob blocked the railway line and began protesting, causing widespread disruption to the lives of the local populace.

 

During the course of the protest, the mob suddenly resorted to stone pelting, leading to several trains that were already halted due to the protests being hit by these projectiles. The railway guards tasked with maintaining order and safety were also targeted by the stone-pelting mob, leaving innocent bystanders feeling completely helpless and unable to intervene.

 

Uluberia, Panchla & Dhulagarh:      The disturbances that engulfed the district of Howrah originated from the Panchla area and quickly spread across the region. The actions taken by the Islamist Mob were similar throughout the district, involving the use of violent slogans and marches toward sensitive areas. On Friday, the BJP Party office in Manasatala, near Panchla, was attacked by the mob and subsequently vandalized and burned. The Karyakartas present inside the office had to flee for their lives and seek refuge in a nearby school.

 

After the attack on Manasatala, the mob stormed Bangalpur, located near Uluberia, to cause more chaos. They engaged in bombing, stone pelting, and the destruction of public property. The mob even gathered near the Ram Temple in Bangalpur with the intention of desecrating the holy place. However, the locals resisted the violence, and the Manasatala Ram Temple of Hatat Sangha Club was successfully protected. In response, the local police administration arrested two individuals without any warrant or justifiable cause.

 

Civilians were also targeted by the mob, as people carrying a deceased person for cremation were attacked. Commoners, especially those belonging to the Hindu community, were also assaulted while commuting. The Panchla Bazar was heavily bombed and vandalized, and it is disconcerting that only shops owned by people from the Hindu community were targeted. Similarly, in Manasatala, numerous shops owned by Hindus were ravaged and burned. Near Jamberia Bridge, the Jhilik Dhaba was looted and ransacked by the mob, which was noteworthy as it included women from the Muslim community.

 

The inability of the authorities to protect their citizens is concerning, as evidenced by the attack on the Uluberia Police Station, Fire Station, and Sub-Divisional Officer's (SDO) Office. The violence resulted in the injury of approximately 8-10 individuals from the Hindu community in Manasatala. Moreover, over 30 bikes, two or more Maruti cars, eight to ten bicycles, and a Tata Ace were burned.

 

Domjur:     In the Friday night, Domjur Police Station was heavily stone pelted and was in the verge of elimination.

 

Conclusion

The rural areas of Howrah have become a hotbed of terror and chaos, as an Islamist Mob continues to unleash its wrath on innocent people. This wave of violence has left the community traumatised and in grave danger. The State Government's inability to provide adequate security measures has only added to the sense of despair and hopelessness.

 

The situation is dire, and there is a genuine fear that a genocide could be imminent. The Hindu population is particularly vulnerable and is in urgent need of protection. It is crucial that Central Forces are immediately deployed to halt the rampage of this menacing mob and restore law and order. The repercussions of this violence are not limited to the safety of the people. The wanton destruction of vehicles and public property has also had a crippling impact on the State's economy. The losses incurred are either borne by insurance companies or by ordinary citizens, who are already struggling to make ends meet.

 

The gravity of this situation cannot be overstated. The urgent need for action to protect innocent lives and prevent further economic damage cannot be ignored. It is time for swift and decisive action to bring an end to this reign of terror and restore peace to the people of Howrah.