SIT to probe 48 Murshidabad FIRs, net partially restored
Times of India | 17 April 2025
12 Kolkata/Jangipur: A special investigation team (SIT) will investigate 48 FIRs lodged over the past 72 hours in connection with the violence in Murshidabad. The development came on the same day that internet services were restored across seven of 12 areas where restrictions were imposed, including parts of Birbhum and Malda. Internet curbs will continue for another three days in five areas in Suti and Shamsherganj.
ADG (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said the total number of arrests had reached 271 by Wednesday afternoon. "We are raiding three districts simultaneously. The numbers are likely to rise by Thursday morning," he said. Shamim refused to comment on the nature of cases in which the 27 fresh arrests took place.
Bengal Police, which formed a special team on April 13 to probe the Jangipur violence cases, further expanded it to include nine more officers from different parts of the state after a special requisition was made by Murshidabad Police Range officers. The SIT will be headed by DIG (Murshidabad) Syed Waquar Raza.
According to Bhawani Bhawan, the strengthened SIT will have officers from the local district police, state police, STF, CID and the state's IB. Among officers who will leave for Murshidabad are Shantanu Chowdhury (additional superintendent, IB), Vijay Yadav (deputy superintendent, CIF), Kaushik Ghosh (deputy superintendent, CID), Asim Mandal (inspector, CID), Rajarshi Dutta (inspector, traffic headquarters), Anupam Chakraborty (inspector, CID), Tanmoy Ghosh (inspector, CID), Tuhin Das (inspector, CID) and Sudipta De (Sundarbans police district, IC Cyber).
"If required, we will send additional officers. The idea is to track the accused and ensure if he is wanted in multiple cases," said a top officer in Kolkata.
The SIT had on Tuesday arrested two brothers for the murders of Haragobindo Das and Chandan Das in Dhuliyan.
Senior officers met for a stock-taking meeting at Bhawani Bhawan on Wednesday, the first since DGP Rajeev Kumar's return from Murshidabad. Besides the ground situation, topics on intelligence and raids on border states were also discussed.
Top officers said the situation was fully under control and rumours should be shunned. "Do not believe rumours. We have pickets and are attending calls wherever we receive complaints. Life and property of everyone is our responsibility," said a senior officer.