Kolkata, 15 May (H.S.) : Tension prevailed in Kolkata’s Rajabazar area on Friday after a dispute broke out over offering Friday prayers on a public road. Police intervened to clear the road, leading to arguments and slogan-shouting between worshippers and security personnel. The situation was later brought under control and traffic movement was restored.

According to officials, people in the Rajabazar area had been offering Friday prayers on the road for several years. However, following the new state government’s directive banning religious activities on public roads, police personnel reached the spot on Friday and asked the gathering to vacate the road.

During the operation, some members of the Muslim community reportedly protested against the police action. There were incidents of pushing and shoving, while slogans of “Takbir” and “Allahu Akbar” were raised by sections of the crowd, leading to a tense atmosphere in the locality.

In view of the situation, the administration deployed a large number of police personnel along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans in the area. Police officials said individuals attempting to disturb law and order were being identified and legal action would be taken against them. Authorities also stated that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

Police said Friday prayers were conducted peacefully inside mosques across most parts of Kolkata, and the disturbance was limited to the Rajabazar area. The road was later cleared and traffic movement resumed normally. Officials said the situation in the locality is currently under control.

Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Arjun Singh said public roads should not be used for offering prayers and that people should pray inside mosques. Local residents, however, maintained that offering Friday prayers on the road had been a long-standing practice in the area.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh