Kolkata, 20 January (H.S.) : In the wake of two days of tension and violence in Beldanga area of Murshidabad district last week, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on Tuesday issued a detailed security advisory to the Mamata Banerjee-led state government, stressing the need to prevent such incidents and their escalation in the future. The violence reportedly erupted following protests over the alleged murder of a migrant worker from the same district in Jharkhand.
In a statement issued by the Governor’s office, it was noted that recent experiences have shown how disruptive and anti-social elements are capable of mobilising hundreds of motivated and violent protesters within a few hours. Such rapid escalation, the statement said, causes severe hardship to citizens, disrupts normal life and poses a serious threat to life and property.
Against this backdrop, the Governor issued the advisory for the consideration of the competent authorities to prevent violence, its intensification, its spiralling out of control, and the resulting disruption of public order.
The advisory to the state government contains 15 key points. Among the major suggestions are strengthening the intelligence mechanism through improved coordination between Central and state intelligence agencies, activating local informer networks, establishing systems for gathering and analysing real-time intelligence, studying current sensitive and provocative issues, and closely monitoring focal points of conflict that have agitated the public.
The statement from the Governor’s office noted, “West Bengal has extensive and porous international borders, and sensitive issues often arise on both sides of the border. A joint intelligence mechanism involving the Centre and the state should be effectively put in place.”
Other recommendations in the advisory include maintaining heightened vigilance and proactive patrolling, engaging with communities to build trust, putting in place effective deterrents to prevent the escalation of law and order situations, ensuring swift action against provocateurs, coordinating with local leaders to de-escalate tensions, and enhancing surveillance in sensitive districts.
Governor Ananda Bose also emphasised the need for prompt response to distress calls, exercising restraint in crowd control, and sustained engagement with local leadership to prevent the escalation of violence or to de-escalate law and order situations whenever necessary.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh
