HC seeks report from Malda DM over Mothabari clashes
Times of India | 29 March 2025
Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Friday sought a report from the Malda district magistrate (DM) and the SP by Thursday on alleged clashes in Mothabari. A division bench of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das (De) passed the order in response to a petition by BJP alleging that a house belonging to a Hindu at Mothabari was damaged. The petitioner also prayed for the court's direction on the deployment of central forces to restore peace in the area.
The division bench directed the administration to file an action taken report (ATR) during the next hearing on Thursday. The Malda police, in a statement, said, "Six suo motu cases have been registered based on public complaints, and 34 people have been arrested. The situation is under control and a strict police vigil continues." The police added they had "resorted to lathi-charge and used non-lethal munitions to disperse the unruly mob. Strict action shall be taken against all those involved in the incident."
The police statement said, "We urge everyone to act responsibly, verify information before sharing, and rely only on official sources for updates... There is a deliberate attempt to create confusion and provoke unrest. Such acts of rumour-mongering and misuse of social media will be dealt with strictly as per law."
The police said no CAPFs have been requisitioned or deployed in the district.
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