- विज्ञापन -
Kolkata: Tension persists in Mothabari, located in West Bengal’s Malda district, following communal clashes last week. The state police have reported 57 arrests related to the incident so far.
Despite assurances from the police, including statements made in the Calcutta High Court that the situation is largely under control, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has challenged these claims. He argued that if normalcy had truly been restored, opposition leaders and media personnel would not be barred from entering the affected areas, with barricades set up at a considerable distance from the hotspots.
Last week, Adhikari wrote to Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, urging him to instruct the state government to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Mothabari until stability is fully restored.
Amid ongoing tensions, BJP’s state president and Union Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, is set to visit Mothabari today to meet with affected Hindu families. However, a large police presence has already been stationed around sensitive zones, and barricades have been erected, seemingly to prevent Majumdar and his associates from reaching the troubled areas.
District police officials stated that these security measures aim to prevent any further escalation of violence. Meanwhile, the BJP leadership in West Bengal is preparing to file a petition in the Calcutta High Court this week, seeking a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the unrest.
A division bench of the Calcutta High Court has already requested reports from the Malda district magistrate and the district police superintendent on the circumstances that led to the outbreak of violence. These reports are due by April 3.
Additionally, on Saturday evening, senior West Bengal police officials warned of potential attempts to disrupt peace in the state, particularly around the upcoming Ram Navami celebrations.
Additional Director General (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar stated that intelligence inputs suggest certain vested interests are planning to incite violence, possibly through inflammatory posters or social media posts. He assured the public that the police are on high alert and urged citizens to remain vigilant, report any suspicious activities, and avoid being provoked.
