Tensions escalated in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas following the death of a Trinamool Congress worker in police custody, triggering political confrontation and public unrest in the area. A day after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced intense protests during her visit to the bereaved family, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the deceased’s residence on Monday, announcing administrative action and financial assistance.
Amid the volatile situation, Adhikari went directly to the victim’s home, offering condolences and asserting that custodial deaths would not be tolerated. “The fact that the death occurred in police custody is as clear as daylight. There was negligence on the part of the police, as the individual died while under their watch,” he said. Taking responsibility for the incident, the Chief Minister ordered the immediate removal of the concerned police station’s Inspector-in-Charge and the suspension of the Investigating Officer.
He also announced relief measures for the family, including a job for the deceased’s wife as an attendant under the state government’s Home Department quota. According to the Chief Minister, she will initially be attached to a local police station and, after completing 12 months, will be regularised in a Group-D post.
Additionally, a cheque of Rs 10 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund was handed over to the family, with advice to invest the amount in a fixed deposit for the children’s education.
To ensure transparency, Adhikari ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident. “Such investigations are usually conducted at the SDO level, but given the gravity of the matter, we are entrusting it to the District Magistrate of North 24 Parganas. The Home Secretary will issue the necessary orders,” he stated.
He further assured that strict action would be taken based on the post-mortem report and the findings of the inquiry, which will be monitored by senior officials, including the Director General of Police and the Home Secretary.
The Chief Minister also alleged that the deceased’s family did not support attempts to politicise the incident and accused Mamata of visiting the area to gain political mileage. He claimed that the family had expressed faith in the administration and police to uncover the truth.
On Sunday, Mamata visited Halisahar to meet the victim’s family but encountered strong public protests in the Bijpur police station area. According to reports, her convoy was surrounded by a crowd that raised slogans and hurled mud, shoes and bricks at the vehicles. Mud was also smeared on the windows of her car.
Reacting sharply to the incident, Mamata said, “My head could have been split open. We could all have died. We have never seen such an attack in the presence of the police.” Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee alleged that the attack was orchestrated with the involvement of outsiders and took place with the alleged connivance of the local police. Party leader Kunal Ghosh condemned the incident, describing it as a sign of “lawlessness”.
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