Kolkata: Scenes of destruction were visible in several parts of Bengal’s violence-hit Murshidabad district on Sunday, as paramilitary forces patrolled the deserted streets. Ordering the deployment of paramilitary forces in highly sensitive areas, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday said it “cannot turn a blind eye to reports of vandalism in a few districts of West Bengal.”
As the violence that erupted after Friday prayers continued into a second day, police on Saturday said at least three people had been killed. Twelve more people were arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence after overnight raids, police said, taking the total number of arrests to 150.
While Bengal’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari alleged that Hindus were “not safe” in the state, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for peace and blamed “some political parties” for “trying to misuse religion for political gain.” After the Calcutta High Court’s order, paramilitary forces have been deployed in highly sensitive areas like Suti and Shamsherganj. Personnel from the central forces carried out patrolling in affected areas throughout the night and also spoke with the families of victims.
During Saturday’s hearing, the Calcutta High Court noted that the violence was not limited to Murshidabad but had also spread to other districts, including North 24 Parganas and Hooghly’s Champdani. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari has called for central forces to be deployed in both North 24 Parganas and Hooghly.
A local, Sujit Ghoshal, told media, “I was told by rioters that this is just a trailer. The real movie will start soon. We were here till 11 pm. But there weren’t any signs of anyone from the administration. Even now also, there is no one present.” Another local, whose shop was vandalised in Dhulian, told media, “My wife and my kids were in fear. They asked me not to step out. Dad, don’t go out,” he said. BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari claimed that at least 35 Hindu shops were burnt in Dhulian during the Friday protests.
Angered by the absence of police, the local further said, “There were no police officials. They were just scared. Sitting inside their houses like us.” Among the dead, a father and son – Hargobind Das and Chandan Das – were hacked to death by a mob on Saturday, while another protester succumbed to bullet wounds. Izaz Ahmed Sheikh, 17, was hit by a bullet as police opened fire in Suti on Friday. He was declared dead on Saturday.