5 police personnel injured in clashes over Ram Navami rally

Five police personnel were injured in West Bengal's Purulia district today after clashes broke out between two groups over a Ram Navami rally.

A deputy superintendent of police-rank officer was among the policemen injured after violence erupted between the two groups over the Ram Navami procession taken out in the Arsha police station area of the district, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Anuj Sharma said.

Some people were arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident, he added.

The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition BJP had organised processions to celebrate Ram Navami in various parts of the state today, with the saffron party dubbing these rallies as the first step towards "uniting the Hindus" of Bengal.

At several places, armed processions were taken out to mark the occasion.

State BJP president Dilip Ghosh was seen participating in one such rally with a sword and a mace in Kharagpur of West Midnapore district.

Ghosh said it was an age-old Hindu tradition to conduct "astra puja" (worship of weapons) on the day of Ram Navami.

Sharma, however, said, "Despite the police not giving permission, armed rallies were taken out at various places. The police will take legal action against it."