Bengal police on alert as Hindu Jagran Manch holds over 5,000 Ram Navami processions

Police across West Bengal are on high alert as local right-wing outfit Hindu Jagran Manch is holding over 5,000 processions on the occasion of Ram Navami on April 17.

The Hindu Jagaran Manch, affiliated to the RSS, is taking out processions in every district and at the ward and panchayat levels, while big processions will be taken out in Barasat, Siliguri and Kolkata’s Ram Mandir in Burrabazar.

Bengal police told the Indian Express newspaper that anyone found violating law and order will be dealt with strictly. It comes days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned that there could be violence during the festival.

Ram Navami celebrations have, of late, become contentious in Bengal, with the event often escalating into violence.

Also read | PM Modi's very long recent interview scripted: Rahul Gandhi