Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday appealed for calm amid violence in Murshidabad’s Beldanga, where protests erupted following the death of a migrant worker from the district in Jharkhand, leading to rail and road blockades and heightened tensions.
Opposing the ongoing violence, Banerjee urged people not to give in to provocation and to uphold communal harmony. Referring to the unrest, she said residents were aware of who was instigating trouble and stressed that peace must prevail, noting that public gatherings regularly take place in the area during festivals such as Durga Puja and Shivratri.
“Their anger is justified, but peace must be maintained. We believe in harmony among all religions,” she said before leaving for a three-day tour of North Bengal on Friday.
Tensions escalated sharply in Murshidabad’s Beldanga on Friday afternoon following the death of a local migrant worker in Jharkhand under suspicious circumstances. The deceased, identified as Alauddin Sheikh, was found dead in his rented accommodation, and his family and neighbours alleged he had been beaten and murdered rather than having died by suicide.
Following the arrival of his body in his native village, angry residents took to the streets on Friday, blocking National Highway-12 and railway tracks for several hours in protest, demanding justice and strict action against those responsible. The agitation disrupted road and train services, leaving vehicles and passengers stranded, and turned violent in parts with incidents of stone-pelting, tyre burning.
The Chief Minister alleged a deliberate attempt to create unrest in Bengal, blaming the BJP and accusing it of acting with the backing of central agencies. “The BJP wants chaos, and central government agencies are behind it,” she claimed.
Journalists covering the unrest were also attacked while on-duty.
Noting the attack on journalists, CM Banerjee also urged the mob to refrain from attacking people doing their jobs. “Do not attack journalists,” she appealed.
Banerjee also raised concerns over alleged attacks on migrant workers in states ruled by what she termed “double-engine governments,” citing incidents from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. She described such attacks as “shameful” and said the West Bengal government was closely monitoring the situation. Assuring support to affected families, she said court cases had already been filed and reiterated her solidarity with them.
Separately, the Chief Minister expressed strong resentment over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list. A day after the Election Commission said Madhyamik admit cards would not be accepted as valid documents, she accused the commission of creating confusion.
