Murshidabad, 18 January (H.S.):
Following two days of unrest, the situation in Beldanga has been tense but under control since Sunday morning. No new incidents of violence have been reported. However, train services on the Sealdah-Lalgola railway route have not yet been fully restored, causing significant hardship for daily commuters and traders.
According to Eastern Railway, regular trains on the Sealdah-Lalgola route are still not running. Currently, trains are only operating up to Krishnanagar and returning from there. Officials said that discussions would be held on Sunday regarding the possibility of resuming train services between Krishnanagar and Plassey. Additional RPF (Railway Protection Force) personnel have been deployed at stations to prevent any untoward incidents.
Due to the suspension of train services, a large number of people are relying on buses, leading to heavy congestion on the roads. Police are maintaining strict vigilance on the roads.
Notably, the situation in Beldanga spiraled out of control on Friday following allegations surrounding the alleged murder of Alauddin Sheikh, a laborer from Murshidabad who was working in Jharkhand. When Alauddin's body arrived in his village, people began protesting. The protests raised questions about why laborers from Murshidabad are repeatedly targeted in other states.
Protesters blocked National Highway 12 and also surrounded the railway station. Violence continued on Saturday after Friday's unrest. Allegedly, miscreants uprooted railway signal posts and vandalized railway gates and several waiting rooms. This is why train services have not yet returned to normal.
The suspension of train services has hit traders the hardest, particularly those who transport vegetables and chhana (a milk-based product) from Murshidabad to Kolkata. A large number of commuters travel to and from Kolkata daily on the Sealdah-Lalgola route. It is currently unclear when train services will be fully restored.
Shops in Beldanga market remained open on Sunday, but the police are monitoring the movement of outsiders. Footage from CCTV cameras installed in the area is also being reviewed.
Meanwhile, on Saturday night, Murshidabad Police District SP Sunny Raj told reporters that Matiur Rahman, the alleged main conspirator in the Beldanga violence, has been arrested. Four people have also been arrested for allegedly attacking media personnel. The SP claimed that Saturday's violence was pre-planned and deliberate, which is why police had to resort to a lathi charge to control the situation. The Rapid Action Force remained deployed in the area on Sunday to prevent further unrest.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
