In a significant development, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday expressed serious concern over repeated incidents of violence in Beldanga, Murshidabad, and observed that the central government can order an NIA probe if needed.
The court also directed the West Bengal government to ensure effective use of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) already deployed in the area and to submit a detailed affidavit within 15 days on steps taken to maintain law and order.
The court also asked the SP and District Magistrate of Murshidabad so that there is no loss of life and damage to property in the area.
The observations came from a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Parthasarathi Sen, which was hearing multiple public interest litigations (PILs) related to the recent violence in Beldanga.
One of the petitions was also filed by the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari.
The unrest in Beldanga was triggered by the death of a migrant worker from Jharkhand and escalated over Friday and Saturday, leading to widespread tension. Incidents of vandalism, rail blockades, protests on national highway 12, attacks on journalists, and damage to police vehicles were reported.
During the hearing, petitioners described the area as highly sensitive and alleged that the violence was pre-planned under the guise of protests.
Their counsel argued that police personnel were attacked, stones were pelted, traffic collapsed, and despite the gravity of the situation, prohibitory orders under Section 163 were not imposed.
It was also alleged that central forces, though present, were not effectively used by the state administration.
The state government, however, countered these claims, stating that central forces had been deployed and were conducting route marches.
It maintained that the police acted promptly, registered FIRs, arrested more than 30 people, restored normalcy, and initiated rehabilitation measures for those affected.
The state further alleged that the issue was being given a political colour.
In its observations, the Bench noted that repeated outbreaks of violence in the area were “deeply worrying” and that attacks on police and government property, as well as the blockade of a national highway, could not be ignored.
On the demand for an NIA probe, the court clarified that under Section 6(5) of the NIA Act, the Centre has the discretion to order such an investigation if it deems fit.
At the same time, the Bench directed the state to fully utilise the CAPF units – currently five companies – already stationed in Murshidabad, and use intelligence inputs proactively to prevent any recurrence of violence.
The matter will be taken up for further hearing after four weeks.