Internet access was partially restored this morning in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, but it remains suspended in Beldanga and adjacent areas, where a huge police contingent has been deployed and prohibitory orders remain.
On Saturday night, tension spread in Murshidabad’s Beldanga after two groups clashed over an “objectionable” message on a digital display board at a temporary gate of a Kartik Puja pandal, injuring six people and prompting the security measures.
“The situation is peaceful and under control. The Internet has been restored. But prohibitory orders remain. Police personnel too are on the ground,” said a senior police officer of Murshidabad district.
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Police took to X on Sunday, posting, “Malicious efforts are being made from certain quarters to spread misinformation and rumours about last night’s incident at Beldanga in Murshidabad where clashes took place between two groups over some condemnable mischief… Sternest possible legal action will be taken against law-breakers as the rumour-mongers.”
The post also added, “The president and secretary of the committee where this incident took place have been arrested. Prompt action has been taken by the police against vandalism and violence by arresting 17 persons. No casualty… has been reported anywhere in the district. Six persons were injured and are under proper treatment. The condition of all injured is stable. The situation is under control. Sharp police vigil continues…”
On Saturday night, after the news spread of the “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.
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).
BJP MLA and Leader of West Bengal Assembly Opposition Suvendu Adhikari shared on X, ‘Do you have the guts to reveal the identity of the “two groups” who clashed over “some condemnable mischief”? Also, clash means a violent confrontation between two parties, but what happened in Beldanga at best can be described as a concerted attack by one party on the other. That one violent group/party ran riots, attacked, vandalised, and set… homes and properties of Hindus (on fire). @WBPolice & @SPMurshidabad, so you are claiming efficiency citing that “no casualty has been reported”… what about the loot & arson, and destruction of property that you failed to protect? It seems that you are more concerned about rumour-mongers, but are going easy on the arsonists, rioters, and law-breakers.”
“I have appealed for an NIA investigation (at the Calcutta High Court) and immediate deployment of central forces. The matter will be heard by the bench of Chief Justice T S Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya tomorrow,” said advocate and BJP leader Koustav Bagchi, speaking with The Indian Express.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, while speaking to mediapersons 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.”