Kolkata police commissioner Vineet Goyal on Wednesday said the situation in Ekbalpore had been normalised with minimum loss to property.
The top cop said only two civilians received “minor injuries” during a clash between two groups on October 9. Section 144 of the CrPC — restriction on the assembly of five or more people — has been extended by another four days at Ekbalpore, police said.
Police had imposed Section144 of the CrPC between October 10 and 12, which has now been extended till October 16.
Mominpore, which was also affected by the violence, is a pocket of Ekbalpore.
“There was a clash between two groups of people on October 9. Reinforcement was sent and senior officers also rushed to the spot. Any kind of violence was minimised. Loss of property was minimised. In the entire incident, only two civilians received minor injuries and some police officers were injured while protecting the lives of people. But there is absolute normalcy now,” Goyal told a news conference at police headquarters Lalbazar on Wednesday.
Goyal added that five cases had been started in connection of which around 45 people have been arrested.
“We are analysing CCTV footage and trying to identity of the people who were involved so they could be arrested.”
The clash that broke out on Sunday had led to the ransacking of several shops, damaging of vehicles and injury to at least nine police personnel.
The police commissioner said: “...People have been able to open their shops and there is complete normalcy.”
“If anyone has any problem or anxiety, we request you to go to the police. There are police pickets all over the place. One can also dial 100.”
Senior officers in Lalbazar spoke of some “instigating” videos that have been circulated on social media.
“There were videos on social media that were slightly inciting in nature. We have started cases against people who have circulated and posted them,” Goyal said.