Kolkata, 20 January (H.S.) : The Calcutta High Court has expressed serious concern over the recurring incidents of unrest in various parts of Murshidabad district, particularly in Beldanga, and directed the district administration to ensure that no further disturbances take place under any circumstances.

During the hearing on Tuesday, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen instructed the Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate to take all necessary measures to prevent fresh incidents of violence and maintain law and order in the area.

While hearing matters related to Beldanga, the court orally observed that, if required, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) could be deployed appropriately. The Bench made it clear that Beldanga should not be allowed to slip back into an unsafe situation, stating that the court was compelled to intervene in view of the seriousness of the matter.

The court further observed that if such incidents continue to occur repeatedly in a district, the administration must take well-planned and proactive steps to protect lives, livelihoods and property. The Bench also remarked that if the Border Security Force (BSF) is not used effectively, the issue would be subject to judicial scrutiny after affidavits are filed. However, the court underlined that its immediate concern was the safety and livelihood of the people in the affected areas.

It may be recalled that Beldanga witnessed severe tension and violence on January 16, followed by further incidents of unrest on January 17. In the aftermath, two Public Interest Litigations were filed before the Calcutta High Court on Monday, January 19—one by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the other by local residents.

The petitioners argued that the High Court had earlier ordered the deployment of central forces during unrest in Murshidabad’s Samserganj, and similar measures should be adopted in the present case as well. The court orally suggested that, if necessary, central forces already deployed in Samserganj could also be utilised.

Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded an NIA probe into the incidents. The court, however, left the decision on this demand to the Union government. The Bench directed both the Centre and the state government to file affidavits within two weeks, clearly stating their respective positions. The court also observed that the Centre should take appropriate steps to deploy central forces wherever required.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh