The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday instructed the West Bengal government to deploy central armed police forces in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, to prevent any further outbreak of violence in the area.
The direction followed unrest that erupted last week after the body of Alauddin Sheikh (30), a resident of Sujapur Kumarpur, was brought back from Jharkhand, where he was allegedly killed. The incident triggered protests, during which a national highway was blocked and two journalists were attacked. Police have since registered four FIRs and arrested at least 30 individuals.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen expressed concern over the situation, noting that the safety of residents was at risk. “The recurring episodes of unrest in the district are a cause for serious concern and call for urgent and effective intervention to safeguard lives, dignity and property,” the court observed.
Taking note of differing positions adopted by the Centre and the State on force deployment, the court directed the Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate of Murshidabad to ensure restoration of normalcy. It also ordered the State to fully utilise central forces already stationed in the district and rely on intelligence inputs to prevent further incidents.
The court further stated that it would be open to the Union government to examine whether a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is warranted.
The order came on a plea filed by BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who sought central force deployment and an NIA investigation. His counsel, Senior Advocate Billwadal Bhattacharyya, alleged targeted violence and said, “Such attacks must be stopped without delay.” He added that if the State was unwilling, the Centre should step in to prevent communal unrest.
Appearing for the State, Senior Advocate Kalyan Bandopadhyay informed the court that five companies of central forces had already been deployed. “We have taken assistance and will seek more if the situation demands,” he said, adding that no untoward incident had been reported since January 17. He also contended that the petition was politically motivated and aimed at creating communal divisions.
However, Additional Solicitor General Asok Kumar Chakrabarti, representing the Centre, argued that central forces were underutilised.
“They were deployed briefly and not for continuous patrolling. All available companies should be engaged round the clock,” he said, adding that the Constitution permits central intervention in disturbed areas.
The matter will be heard again after four weeks, with both the State and the Centre directed to file their affidavits within 15 days.
