3 min readKolkataNov 20, 2024 02:37 AM IST
First published on: Nov 19, 2024 at 04:11 PM IST
Days after two groups in Murshidabad’s Beldanga clashed over an “objectionable” message on a digital display board at a temporary gate of a Kartik Puja pandal, miscreants pelted stones at the car of the Murshidabad district magistrate Rajarshi Mitra, who was unhurt.
Meanwhile, internet services in some parts of the district in ousting Beldanga remained suspended, and prohibitory orders remained. Liquor shops and bars have been told to shut down until further orders in the district.
“(The stone-pelting at the car) was a stray incident. The area remained peaceful and under control. A huge police deployment is there. An Internet ban has continued in sensitive areas including Beldanga. We have initiated a number of cases and raids are on to nab the miscreants,” said a senior police officer from Murshidabad.
On Monday evening, while DM Rajarshi Mitra was passing through the Jhikra area in Beldanga, the glass on the back of his vehicle was smashed by stones. “He is alright and has no injuries,” said a senior administrative officer.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has asked the state government to take action on the “increasing violence in Murshidabad”.
“The Hon’ble Governor instructs the Chief Minister to take immediate action. The Governor has cancelled his outstation visits and is remaining in Kolkata to watch the situation,” said a communication from Raj Bhawan.
On Saturday night, after the news spread of the allegedly objectionable message, groups of people gathered, lobbed bricks and crude bombs, and torched a police vehicle. Shops in the town were ransacked, as well as a few houses. Six people were injured in the incident, while 17 people were arrested.
When police resorted to lathi charge to disperse the crowd, stones and bricks were also lobbed at the officials.
Later that night, prohibitory orders were imposed under section 163 of BNS (which prohibits gatherings of more than five people).
Sukanta Majumder, BJP state president and MP, spoke to officials of the union ministry over the Beldanga situation and sought the deployment of central forces. However, according to sources, he was told that law and order is a state subject and that without the state government’s request, the deployment would not be possible. Majumder plans to visit the area on Wednesday.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, while speaking to media persons, said, “It is the BJP which indulges in divisive politics. They are trying to polarise people. We have asked people not to step into provocations and trust the police.”
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has asked the state government to take action on the “increasing violence in Murshidabad”. (Express File) 
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