More than 20 persons were injured as communal violence broke out across several cities during Ram Navami processions on Wednesday night and Thursday, reported the Hindustan Times.

At least 54 persons have been arrested, according to the police as clashes were reported in Maharashtra, West Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

The violence is a repeat of incidents that were reported across several states last year on Ram Navami, the last day of the Hindu festival of Navratri. Following the incidents last year, authorities had demolished shops and buildings owned by the accused persons, most of whom were Muslims.

On similar lines, most of the clashes this year erupted after Ram Navami processions, playing songs on loudspeakers passed through Muslim-dominated areas.

West Bengal

In West Bengal’s Howrah district, several vehicles were set ablaze, stones were thrown and shops were vandalised as clash broke out between Hindus and Muslims. Videos on social media showed men throwing stones and vandalising shops as the police tried to bring the situation under control. Security personnel had to fire tear gas shells to disperse the mob, reported NDTV.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that those behind the violence will not be spared.

“I do not support riot mongers and consider them the enemy of the country,” she said. “The BJP [Bharatiya Janata Party] has always targeted Howrah. The other targets for them are Park Circus and Islampur. Everybody must be alert in their localities.”

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari denied the allegations and blamed the Trinamool Congress government for the violence. In North 24 Parganas’ Bhatpara city, visuals showed Hindus brandishing swords and waving saffron flags outside a mosque…

This story was originally published in scroll.in. Read the full story here