Bengal: 12 arrested for attack on sadhus going to Gangasagar fair

Kolkata: West Bengal Police on Saturday said 12 people have been arrested for attacking three sadhus from Uttar Pradesh based on rumors of kidnapping, who were visiting the Gangasagar fair at Sagar Island in North 24 Parganas district. Were staying.

A group of villagers attacked the monks in Kashipur in Purulia district on Thursday night after rumors spread that the victims were on the run after kidnapping a local teenage girl, police sources said. The monks, originally from Bareilly, first went to Puri in Odisha and from there reached Purulia on Thursday afternoon.

“On Thursday afternoon, there was a misunderstanding over language issue between three sadhus visiting Gangasagar and three local minor girls near Kashipur,” a statement issued by the Purulia district police on Saturday morning said.

“The girls got scared and the locals assaulted the sadhus and damaged their vehicle, accusing them of attempted kidnapping. The local police immediately intervened and rescued the sadhus. “Twelve people were arrested at the incident based on a specific case. All possible assistance was provided to the sadhus,” the statement said.

After reaching Kolkata on Saturday, Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched a scathing attack on the West Bengal government over the attack. “Why is such a situation emerging in West Bengal? This is the result of appeasement politics. During any religious function, a curfew-like situation is created in the state, where Hindus are not allowed to participate in their festivals. There were attacks on monks.

“The state government is silent on this matter. Where is West Bengal going because of this appeasement politics? Why has an anti-Hindu story been created here?” Thakur asked the question while talking to media persons at Kolkata airport.