Women’s morphed picture triggers clash in Bengal

KOLKATA: Violence broke out in West Bengal on Wednesday over an alleged circulation of ‘super-imposed’ vulgar images of few local women that went viral on social media platforms.

According to a tweet by ANI, the incident took place in Samudragarh town of Purba Bardhaman district

“In past few months we noticed morphed images of members of our family posted with abusive captions on Facebook. We found out the culprit and registered police complaint. It was resolved with police intervention. But after namaz yesterday some miscreants attacked and hurled bombs at us,” a local was quoted by ANI.

People of two groups of the same minority community attacked each other with rods and stones over the morph photographs. Several houses were vandalized after crude bombs were allegedly hurled and bullets fired.

As the hour-long tussle turned violent, West Bengal police along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) rushed to the scene and brought the situation under control.

Fifteen people have been arrested so far.

“Suspecting the involvement of a local resident, Baki Sheikh, the family of one of the women went to confront him. Some people came to Sheikh’s support. Both groups had an altercation, which resulted in violence,” a local police officer said, reported Indian Express.

At least 20 persons, including few women and children, were injured in the clash and were admitted in the hospital for treatment.