ASANSOL: Tension flared in Asansol after a group of people attacked a police outpost at Naya Mohallah accusing cops of trying to stop Friday night prayers. Police and central forces resorted to lathicharge and are conducting marches in the area. Several people have been detained.According to Asansol North MLA Krishnendu Mukherjee, police from the outpost had gone to the local mosque urging the mosque committee to limit the sound during prayers to the mosque’s precincts. This fuelled rumours that cops were trying to stop Friday prayers.Mosque committee members were talking to the cops when a mob started pelting stones. However, a large police contingent and central force personnel rushed in and drove away the attackers. Senior police officials refused to comment on the matter.Mukerjee accused “Trinamool-backed miscreants” of trying to inflame the situation. “I advise all to maintain sound norms and not use microphones without police permission.”
