By Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net,
Kolkata/Birbhum: One person was killed in police firing during protests that erupted after a student posted hate remarks on Sunday about Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
The angry protesters blocked National Highway 60 in Illumbazar under the district Birbhum. To prevent the protests, the police forces fired and shot dead one person. The accused was later arrested and a local court ordered for 14 days police custody.
Mob gathered to protest against postednasty comments about the Prophet and his family in social Networking site Facebook
The accused, Sujan Kumar Mukherjee, is a third-year student of an engineering college in Durgapur. On Sunday, he posted nasty comments about the Prophet and his family in Bengali.
Accused Sujan Kumar Mukherjee
On Monday, his comments spread through the social network channel. In the evening, local Muslims met visited the police station and submitted a memorandum for the immediate arrest of the accused person.
However, on Tuesday, a number of people gathered in front of police station and blocked the National Highway 60. The mob also allegedly ransacked the police station and two vehicles on the road, which turned the situation violent.
As a result, the police resorted to baton charges, tear gas shells and fired few rounds to control the situation.
The local Police added that a second agitation occurred around 4pm after the Asar Namaz in front of Bhagabatipur Bazaar masjid. According to local sources, to stop the protests the Police entered the Masjid and damaged parts of the Mosque. Subsequently, the Rapid Action Force fired shots around 4.30pm on Tuesday and shot dead Rejaul Islam (40), a cycle van driver and a resident of local Bhagabati bazaar.
Mob ransacked a vehicle in front of Illumbazar Police Station
Sources said another youth was injured in the protests and admitted to the hospital. He remains in critical situation.
The police added that the accused has been arrested under the IT Act and Indian Penal Code.
Alleged police torched the window glass of a Mosque
Abul Kalam, a member of the local Panchayat Samiti, denied that the protesters had ransacked the Police staion. He said when Muslims were inside the police station talking to police official, outsiders attacked vehicle of police station. He also claimed that no protester was involved in vandalism.