Acting on instructions from the Union Home Ministry, a team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrived in Murshidabad on Saturday morning to investigate the unrest that broke out in Beldanga following the mysterious death of a migrant worker in Jharkhand.
According to sources, a special investigation team comprising eight members has been constituted for the probe. The team is expected to visit Beldanga police station to collect the case diary and related documents before formally beginning its investigation.
The unrest traces back to an incident last week involving the death of Alauddin Sheikh (37), a resident of the Sujapur-Kumarpur Gram Panchayat area in Beldanga. Sheikh, who worked as a hawker, had travelled to Jharkhand for employment. His family was later informed that he was found hanging in his room there.
Family members have disputed the initial claim of suicide, alleging that he was assaulted and killed, and that the scene was staged. They also claimed he may have been targeted because he was a migrant worker from West Bengal. These allegations triggered widespread anger in his native area.
Soon after, protests erupted across the Sujapur-Kumarpur region. Demonstrators blocked a national highway and staged a rail blockade, demanding strict punishment for those responsible. The protests gradually escalated, leading to incidents of vandalism and major disruptions to road and rail traffic. A heavy police presence was deployed to restore order.
During the unrest, journalists covering the protests were reportedly attacked over two consecutive days. Police later initiated strict action, using CCTV footage and social media videos to identify suspects. Several arrests have been made so far.
Also Read: Unrest in Murshidabad’s Beldanga over assault on migrant worker
The matter also reached the Calcutta High Court, where a division bench led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul observed that the central government would decide whether the NIA should take over the investigation. The court expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the law-and-order situation and raised concerns about repeated incidents of violence in Murshidabad. It also emphasised the need to ensure the safety of citizens and protection of property.
Within days of these observations, the Union Home Ministry ordered the NIA to probe into the Beldanga unrest. The agency has now begun its inquiry, amid growing attention on whether a larger conspiracy may be linked to the incident.
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