The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to take all possible steps to ensure that no violence takes place during any protest over controversial remarks made against Prophet Mohammad by now-sacked BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. . The court also asked the government to call in central forces if needed. Roads and train tracks were blocked for several hours on June 9 and 10 in Howrah district and some other places in the state after protesters vandalized public and private properties demanding action against Sharma.
The order was passed after petitioners in several PILs sought deployment of Army or Central forces, expressing apprehension that incidents of violent protests may recur.
“We direct the state authorities to assess the ground situation in advance and take steps to call in central forces, if required, before the situation spirals out of control or causes any loss of life and property.” Are.” Justice Prakash Srivastava and Justice R Bhardwaj directed.
The bench directed the state authorities to collect video footage of incidents of violence and vandalism of property and take prompt steps to take action as per law.
During the hearing of PILs on Wednesday, the petitioners had alleged that a large gathering was being held under the guise of a peaceful gathering, where provocative slogans were being raised.
He also claimed that innocent people were being implicated in the FIR registered in connection with the devastation.
The court had also on June 13 hoped that the state authorities would take all possible steps to ensure that no untoward incident took place and peace prevailed.
It had said that steps would be taken to call in the central forces if the state police fails to control the situation.