Bengal prays for "restoration of peace"

PRAYER FOR PEACE: The Nandigram clash and Bob Woolmer's death has shocked the Bengalis.

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Keywords: Bob Woolmer, Nandigram

New Delhi: Irrespective of their religious and political affiliations, Bengalis are now praying for an auspicious ‘1414’ (Bengali New Year), commencing from April 15.

The Nandigram massacre and Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer's death in

Kingston has left them in shock during the past week.

A week after the ‘Black Wednesday’, special prayers were organised in the temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras across Kolkata and its outskirts, where devotees in large numbers thronged for prayers.

People stood in long queues in front of Kalighat and Dakshineshwar temples to offer prayers.

At least 14 people were killed and 71 injured in Nandigram in East Midnapore on March 14 after police opened fire to quell villagers and retake control of the area.

The demise of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer in Kingston on March 18 has also jolted the sports loving people of the City of Joy.

“In the death of Bob Woolmer, it is proved that life and cricket are synonymous,” said a Kolkata resident.

Incidentally, Woolmer, who was born in Kanpur, also had a Kolkata connection as his father Charles was posted here for a number of years.

As a schoolboy, Woolmer spent his holidays in the city and stayed at Alipore.