Asansol, 16 May (H.S.): Tension gripped the Railpar area of Asansol on Friday night after violence broke out near the Jahangiri Mohalla police outpost following an administrative initiative regarding loudspeaker use in the area, officials said.

According to local sources, a police team had visited the locality earlier in the day to spread awareness regarding restrictions on high-volume loudspeakers. Discussions were also reportedly initiated with representatives of local religious institutions over the matter.

However, the situation turned tense around 9 pm when a large number of people allegedly gathered near the Jahangiri Mohalla police outpost and began protesting. The protest soon turned violent, with miscreants allegedly entering the outpost premises and vandalising property.

Several vehicles, including police vehicles as well as those belonging to civilians, were reportedly damaged during the unrest, triggering panic in the locality.

The police resorted to baton charge and later fired tear gas shells to bring the situation under control. Additional police personnel were deployed in the area, and security was tightened across the Railpar locality.

Former councillor and NGO operator Shahina Parveen said she heard commotion outside while going for prayers around 9 pm and found a large crowd gathered near the police outpost.

She said local residents informed her that police officials and personnel had visited mosques in the area asking them to lower the volume of loudspeakers or remove them, following which some youths became agitated and allegedly started stone pelting.

Parveen condemned the violence and said she had tried to pacify the youths, but they did not listen. She also alleged that during subsequent police action, some vehicles were damaged and attempts were made to force open doors of certain houses.

Local councillor S M Mustafa said he received information about the stone pelting around 9.30 pm and found the situation “extremely sensitive” upon reaching the spot.

He said attacking a police outpost was completely unacceptable and condemned the incident.

Mohammad Haider, secretary of the Qureshi Mohalla Mosque committee, said police had contacted mosque representatives earlier in the evening regarding a meeting on the loudspeaker issue.

He said religious leaders and mosque committees in the Railpar area were planning to hold discussions and nominate representatives for talks with the administration when news of the violence emerged.

Calling the incident unfortunate, Haider urged the administration to identify the culprits through CCTV footage and take strict action against them while ensuring innocent residents were not harassed.

He also said the loudspeaker issue could be resolved through dialogue and mutual understanding.

Heavy police deployment continued in the Railpar and Jahangiri Mohalla areas till late night. Authorities said efforts were underway to identify those involved in the violence and strict legal action would be taken against the guilty.

Local representatives and the administration appealed to residents to maintain peace and help restore normalcy in the area.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey