A Ram Navami procession in Serampore turned chaotic on Sunday following a heated confrontation between participants and the police over the display of weapons. The rally, which started from Baidyabati, escalated into violence upon reaching the Kalitala and Battala areas of Serampore.

According to reports, when police tried to intervene to stop the display of arms, a scuffle broke out. Protesters allegedly targeted a local restaurant, smashing its glass doors and causing significant damage. The disturbing footage of the vandalism has since gone viral on social media. It took nearly half an hour for the Serampore Police and Central Forces to bring the situation under control.

The police have registered a formal complaint and detained one individual in connection with the incident. On Tuesday, the Trinamool Congress held a protest in front of the vandalized restaurant, citing public fear. Meanwhile, BJP candidate Bhaskar Bhattacharya blamed the local administration for failing to maintain law and order, suggesting that “outsiders” might have infiltrated the crowd to incite the violence.