Bengal’s Asansol Turns Violent: Police Station Vandalised Amid Mosque Loudspeaker Row

Tension gripped West Bengal’s Asansol on Friday night after a protest over mosque loudspeaker volume escalated into violence, with a mob allegedly attacking and vandalising a police station in the Jahangiri Mohalla area.

According to police and local accounts, the unrest began after officers from the Jahangiri Mohalla police station approached a local mosque and requested that loudspeaker volume during Friday prayers be reduced following a complaint. Officials said the move was part of a broader administrative exercise to ensure compliance with permissible sound limits at religious places.

However, the police intervention reportedly triggered anger among a section of local residents, who gathered outside the police station to protest. Tension escalated amid rumours that police were attempting to disrupt Friday prayers. The protest soon turned violent, with a crowd allegedly pelting stones and bricks at the police outpost, damaging property both inside and outside the premises.

Several vehicles parked near the station, including police vehicles and motorcycles, were vandalised during the incident. Visuals from the area showed shattered windows and debris scattered across nearby roads.

As the situation deteriorated, police resorted to lathi-charge and used tear gas to disperse the crowd and bring the violence under control. Additional police personnel and central forces were rushed to the area, while heavy deployment continued overnight to prevent further disturbances. Officials said the situation was later brought under control, though tension persisted in parts of the locality.

Deputy Commissioner of Police of the Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissionerate, PVG Satish, said those involved in the violence would face strict legal action. “The miscreants who attacked and vandalised the police station are being identified through video footage and CCTV. No culprits will be spared, and the strictest legal action will be taken against them,” he said. Several people have reportedly been detained, while efforts are underway to identify others allegedly involved in the attack.

Asansol North MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee said police personnel had only requested mosque authorities to ensure that loudspeaker sound remained within permissible limits and did not extend beyond the mosque premises. He claimed rumours soon spread that police were attempting to halt prayers, contributing to the unrest. “The police had gone to request the mosque committee to keep the sound limited to the mosque precincts. Rumours spread that Friday prayers were being stopped,” Mukherjee said.

The violence comes a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reportedly directed law enforcement agencies to take strict action against the use of loudspeakers exceeding permitted sound levels at religious sites across the state. During a meeting with senior police officials at Nabanna earlier this week, the Chief Minister stressed that noise pollution regulations must be implemented uniformly and warned against any laxity in enforcement. Police said surveillance footage is being examined and further action will follow as the investigation progresses.