Protesters objecting to the derogatory remarks on Prophet Mohammed by now-axed BJP spokespersons vandalised a railway station and a stationary train, ransacked dozens of shops along NH12 and stoned vehicles and houses in Bethuadahari in Nadia on Sunday.

Local traders called for a 72-hour shutdown to protest against the attack.

The traders said around 100 shops along NH12 had been damaged by the protesters.

The mob vandalised two rakes of the Lalgola-bound EMU that was waiting to leave the station.

As passengers had got off the train, none was injured. The attackers numbering around 2,000 also targeted the station master’s room and other properties at the station.

The mob entered the station around 6.10pm. Bombs were hurled on tracks and the movement of the Calcutta-bound Hazarduari Express and the Lalgola-bound EMU was hampered.

A GRP official said: “We urged the protesters not to create tension. But they remained adamant and outnumbered us.”

A large contingent of force from Nakashipara police station arrived and controlled the situation after dispersing the mob.

Before descending on the railway station, the protestors had taken out a rally and gathered at an adjacent ground. They also blocked NH12.

Additional superintendent of police (rural) Nadia and other senior police officers persuaded them to lift the blockade and help maintain peace in the area. But the protestors suddenly set for the Bethuadahari railway station, barely a kilometre away.

On the way, the protestors went on pelting roadside shops and houses with stones. They damaged several motorcycles and e-rickshaws.

Earlier, a Krishnagar-bound bus of South Bengal Transport Corporation was also vandalised on NH12, near Chakda.

Local businessmen put up a blockade at the station crossing late on Sunday evening, demanding the arrest of the culprits.