Maheshtala Violence: 40 Arrested, Police Personnel Injured, Prohibitory Orders Imposed

At least 40 people have been arrested following violent clashes in Bengal’s Maheshtala, that left several police personnel injured and led to the imposition of prohibitory orders in the area. The arrests were carried out jointly by Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police after unrest broke out on the night of 11 June and spilled over into Thursday morning, The Hindu reported.

The violence began on Wednesday afternoon in Ward No. 7 of Maheshtala over a local dispute regarding the setting up of a shop. The situation quickly escalated when the altercation took a communal turn, with allegations surfacing about an attack on a place of worship. What began as a neighbourhood quarrel soon transformed into large-scale violence between two groups, drawing hundreds into the streets.

Police forces responding to the unrest were met with resistance, including stone-pelting from the crowds. Multiple officers from both forces sustained injuries in the clashes. According to The Hindu, the West Bengal Police arrested 28 individuals, with four officers injured. Kolkata Police detained 12 people, and around a dozen of their personnel — including a Deputy Commissioner — were hurt in the violence.

Seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the incident, four of which were filed at the Nadial Police Station, which comes under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police.

“Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area and the situation is under control,” said Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), West Bengal Police, to The Hindu.

Despite police presence, locals alleged that early deployment was inadequate. The Rabindra Nagar Police Station is situated just 100 metres from the site of violence, but eyewitnesses claimed that the initial response was insufficient to contain the mob, which they said involved hundreds of people.

By Thursday morning, tension continued to grip the area. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed, and both Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police maintained a heavy deployment on the ground. Several vandalised motorbikes and vehicles were removed from the streets. Police officers used loudspeakers to enforce prohibitory orders and advise residents to avoid gatherings, invoking Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

The incident has drawn sharp political reactions. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari held a protest at the state police headquarters, Bhabani Bhawan, and announced plans to visit the affected locality.

“I have approached the SP of Diamond Harbour Police District and DGP @WBPolice so that today, I along with one MLA can visit Maheshtala under Rabindranagar Police Station to meet and express solidarity with the victims… I hope the administration will not obstruct my visit,” he wrote on X.

BJP MLAs have threatened to stall proceedings in the West Bengal Assembly in protest against the incident and the handling of the situation by the administration.

Responding to the developments, senior Trinamool Congress leader and state minister Firhad Hakim assured that those responsible for attacking police personnel would face consequences. “Strict punishment will be given to those who attacked the police,” he stated.​