The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday demanded a detailed report from the West Bengal government regarding the recent group clashes in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, that erupted on November 16. The court has given the state one day to comply with this directive and to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and resettlement of those affected.
A division bench, comprising Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, heard the case prompted by two separate Public Interest Litigations (PILs) concerning the violent incidents. These PILs called for an official report from the state government and the deployment of central forces to restore peace in Beldanga and the broader Murshidabad district.
During the hearing, the petitioners cited media reports indicating that the clashes resulted in numerous injuries and several homes being set on fire. They also highlighted the fear among residents, preventing them from returning to their homes, and accused the police response of being biased and ineffective in dealing with the true perpetrators.
The court’s order emphasized the urgent need for the state to provide detailed information on the incident, including the measures taken to address the violence and the identities of those arrested in connection with the clashes. The state is also tasked with offering medical assistance to the injured until their full recovery and ensuring that dislocated residents can safely return to their homes.
Advocate General Kishore Dutta, representing the state, assured the bench that significant police forces had been deployed promptly after the clashes and that the situation was under control with no further incidents reported. Conversely, Additional Solicitor General Asok Kumar Chakrabarti, representing the central government, confirmed readiness to deploy central forces if so directed by the court.
The bench strongly reiterated the duty of the state to maintain security and public order impartially and fairly, stressing that any perception of threat or insecurity among residents is unacceptable. They mandated the police to not only ensure the safety of the returnees but also to prevent any recurrence of violence that could disrupt the constitutional ethos of secularism as outlined in the Preamble to the Constitution of India.
The court also instructed petitioner Koustav Bagchi, a practicing lawyer, to provide names of individuals reportedly missing so that the Advocate General could facilitate their safe return.
