Asansol: Stone pelting, vandalism after awareness campaign to lower loudspeaker volume, violent mob in Kasai Mohalla attacks police outpost over rumours that ‘Namaz is being stopped’

Stone pelting and vandalism in Asansol
Stone pelting and vandalism in Asansol (Image via IndiaToday and Dainik Bhaskar)

Tension gripped parts of West Bengal’s Asansol after violence broke out late on Friday night, 15th May, following a dispute over loudspeaker volume during prayers at temples and mosques. A police outpost in the Kasai Mohalla area was attacked by a violent mob, leading to heavy stone pelting, vandalism and clashes with the police.

According to the media reports, the trouble started after police officials visited the area to request that religious places keep loudspeaker volume under control. Soon after this, rumours spread that the police were trying to stop Friday night namaz, which further inflamed the situation.

Stone pelting and vandalism create chaos

As the situation escalated, a large group of people near the Kasai/Jahangiri Mohalla police outpost and began pelting stones at police personnel. The mob also vandalised the police outpost and damaged several vehicles parked nearby.

Locals said the attackers created chaos in the area, forcing security personnel to intervene. Police and central forces later carried out a lathi charge to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control.

Several people have been detained in connection with the violence. Security has also been tightened in the area to prevent any further unrest. The police fired tear gas shells to disperse the crowd.

Rumours over Friday prayers triggered tension

Asansol North MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee said the police had gone to the local mosque only to request that the loudspeaker sound during prayers remain limited to the mosque premises.

According to him, talks were going on peacefully between the mosque committee and police officials when rumours suddenly spread that police were trying to stop the namaz altogether. Soon after that, the muslim mob turned violent and started attacking the police outpost. 

Reports said the police had been carrying out instructions related to controlling loudspeaker noise levels at both temples and mosques in the Railpar area following administrative directions.

Heavy police deployment in the area

After the violence broke out, additional police forces and central security personnel were rushed to the spot. Authorities said the situation is now under control, though tension remains in parts of the locality.

Deputy Commissioner of Police V.G. Satish Pasumarthi said police are now identifying those involved in the violence through CCTV footage.

“Now the situation is under control. Everything is under police control, and there is no issue. We are identifying all the CCTV footage that has been found, and legal action will be taken against all those involved,” he said.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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