bengal-govt-tells-hc-situation-under-control-in-murshidabad

The West Bengal government on Thursday submitted a report to the Calcutta High Court, asserting that the law and order situation in Murshidabad district, which had recently witnessed violence, is currently under control. 

The matter was heard by a division bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury in response to a petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly. In his plea, Adhikari alleged that bomb blasts had occurred during communal riots in the Muslim-majority district and requested that the investigation into the incidents be handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

In its submission, the state government maintained that the police and administrative machinery had taken all necessary and adequate steps to curb the violence and restore peace in the affected areas. The government assured the court that the situation was being closely monitored and that measures were in place to prevent any further escalation.

 

Also read: Murshidabad locals praise BSF's efforts in restoring order

During the hearing, the counsel representing the Central government requested the court to consider extending the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad, citing the sensitive nature of the situation on the ground. At present, around 17 companies of central forces are stationed in the violence-affected pockets of Suti and Samserganj-Dhulian within the district to maintain order.

Additionally, another petitioner urged the court to direct the state government to take concrete steps to facilitate the safe return of individuals who had been displaced by the recent violence. In response, the state government informed the bench that some of the displaced families had already started returning to their homes.

The petitioner further claimed that several people, who had fled the unrest during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad over the past few days, had taken shelter in a school that had been converted into a relief camp in the neighboring Malda district. The court was apprised of these developments as part of the ongoing proceedings into the matter.

 

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