Kolkata, 06 April (H.S.): The Malda district administration has taken a strict stand following the Mothabari incident, where judges were allegedly surrounded and harassed amid unrest triggered by disputes over deletion of names from the voters’ list. The administration has also acted in connection with the law and order disturbances reported across the district on April 1.
According to administrative sources, Malda District Magistrate Rajneesh Singh Kapoor has issued a show-cause notice to Additional District Magistrate (Zilla Parishad) Sheikh Ansar Ahmed over alleged lapses in handling the situation.
Reports said that during the special intensive revision of the electoral roll, protests broke out in areas such as Mothabari, Sujapur and English Bazar over complaints of deletion of names. Demonstrators blocked several state and national highways, leading to major disruption and affecting the overall law and order situation in the district.
Sheikh Ansar Ahmed was seen actively involved in efforts to control the situation during the disturbances. However, he has been accused of failing to manage the situation effectively and of lapses in the discharge of his responsibilities, which led to the disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, police on Sunday night arrested six more persons in connection with the Mothabari incident. All were apprehended by Mothabari police station personnel, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 43.
As per the directions of the Election Commission, the matter is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Monday marked the fourth day of the probe. Officials of the central agency visited several locations from Kaliachak to English Bazar and questioned multiple individuals.
Investigators also spoke to some employees of the Kaliachak-II block office under the Mothabari Assembly constituency. On Sunday morning, Malda Additional District Magistrate (Development) Anindya Sarkar was also called for questioning. Members of the probe team also gathered inputs from representatives of some local media organisations. Sources said that around 150 people have been questioned so far.
Following the April 1 incident, most shops around the block development office remained closed on Sunday. With several establishments, including fish and poultry shops, remaining shut, questions have been raised about whether some locals were trying to avoid questioning. The probe team also visited vehicle stands to speak with people.
Investigators have also collected CCTV footage from multiple locations in the police lines area of English Bazar town. According to sources, a preliminary investigation report is scheduled to be submitted before a court on Monday, and the probe team was expected to return from Malda after completing key formalities.
Sources further said that one team of investigators also visited the residence of an injured judge in Ballygunge, Kolkata, to record his statement regarding the events before and after the incident. The probe is also examining how many people were present at the spot and where the judges’ convoy was stopped.
A person claiming to be an eyewitness alleged that the incident was not accidental but a planned attack. According to the claim, the police pilot vehicle accompanying the judges’ convoy fell into a roadside ditch during the attack, leaving the driver and a central forces personnel injured.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
