KOLKATA: The city of joy is witnessing the not-so-joyful days after riots erupted in Howrah over the Ram Navami protest. The procession passed through the Muslim-populated areas which later turned into reasons for arson and violence. The apartments of Hindus were targeted by assailants as the police looked hapless with no means to control such violent mobs.

The chief minister of the state, Mamata Banerjee has now come up with some unusual statements to address the riots. “You bring goons-on-hire from outside of Bengal, carry out arson, and orchestrate riots here…We have never stopped you from conducting rallies… Who permitted you to hold rallies with swords and bulldozers?” she said during a protest rally against the Union government.

“I heard that today they used bulldozers in Howrah…What is this audacity? We will give a befitting reply…Why did you change the route (of the Ram Navami procession)? You chose an unauthorized route to provoke a community,” Mamata Banerjee said.

#WATCH | They (BJP) have another plan to kill a woman from their own party with goons they have brought from Bihar & UP and put the blame on Bengal. This is their plan: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee pic.twitter.com/KujcL52Xho

— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2021

The riots took scary advancement as vehicles and houses of Hindus were set on fire by a ferocious mob. The clashes later turned into a battle after many from the Hindu side also reached the streets to counter the moves. Mamata Banerjee later helped evade a crucifixion of Muslim factions as she said it is not a genuine move from the Ram Navami procession to pass through Muslim areas which triggered a riot. According to reports, Howrah still looms in a crisis with security beefed up on all major streets.