Mamata says 'strict action will be taken' on Howrah violence over Prophet Muhammad row, blames BJP too

In a statement issued Saturday, the Chief Minister said, "As I have said before, violent incidents have been taking place in Howrah for two days now.

"There are some political parties behind this who want to cause riots but these things will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against all of them indulged in violence. Why should the common people suffer because of BJP's sins?"

The West Bengal government has suspended broadband and mobile internet services in Kolkata's adjacent Howrah district till Jun 13 morning amid widespread protests staged by minorities over (now suspended) BJP leader Nupur Sharma's remark on Prophet Mohammed, officials said.

Days after Sharma's alleged offensive comments on Prophet Mohammed that triggered widespread criticism across the globe, minorities staged agitation across India.

In West Bengal, despite Banerjee's request not to block roads, minorities have been staging demonstrations at multiple locations in Howrah and blocking roads as well as railway tracks.

The protesters also, reportedly, clashed with the police in some places.

Earlier on Thursday, a large mob of the religious minority community had blocked Kolkata-Mumbai National Highway in Howrah's Ankurhati area for more than 10 hours, leaving the vehicular movement paralyzed.

Later in the evening, CM Mamata Banerjee appealed to them to withdraw the blockade and shared a video message from an Imam with them in this regard.

"I could have lifted their blockade with force, but I am not doing this as it is a sensitive issue," Banerjee said.

"I would request you to withdraw the blockade as thousands are suffering," she added.