NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested 11 more accused in the
conspiracy
relating to the
communal violence
that took place during
Ram Navami celebrations
in West Bengal in March 2023.
These arrests have come less than a month after 16 persons were arrested by NIA in the six cases, which were transferred to the NIA on 27th April 2023.
These 11 accused were also among those involved in conspiring and perpetrating the attacks on members of a particular community, triggered by one such incident during a procession to celebrate Ram Navami in
Shibpur
, Howrah Police Commissionerate, on 30th March 2023. During the course of its investigations, NIA had identified the accused from video footages seized from various locations. Investigations also led the NIA to other major revelations, resulting in these arrests, as well as the arrest of 16 persons on 26th February 2024.
The 11
arrested accused
have been identified as Shamim Ahmed, Balwant Singh, Mehmud Alam, Mehfooz Alam, Shamshad Alam, Mohammad Ali, Salim Jawed, Sarfaraz Alam, Firoj Khan, Md Sameer Ansari and Shamshad Hussain. All of them are residents of Shibpur, Howrah.
The case was initially registered by the State Police against 36 persons in the wake of the communal violence triggered by the attack at 4th By Lane, PM Basti, Shibpur, Howrah. The High Court of Calcutta had, on 27th April 2023, ordered the transfer of all the cases related to the spate of communal violence that took place during the Ram Navmi celebrations to NIA.
NIA is continuing its investigations in the case.
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