Kolkata, 20 February (H.S.) : Political tensions in West Bengal have escalated over the investigation into last month’s violence in Beldanga in Murshidabad district, with the Bharatiya Janata Party alleging obstruction by the ruling Trinamool Congress government, a charge firmly denied by the state’s ruling party.

State Bharatiya Janata Party president Shamik Bhattacharya on Friday claimed that the Trinamool Congress government is attempting to hinder the probe being conducted by the National Investigation Agency. He alleged that just as the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate have faced resistance in other cases in the state, the National Investigation Agency is likely to encounter similar difficulties.

Sharpening his attack, Bhattacharya said the governance structure in the state has been reduced to a mere formality.

The Bharatiya Janata Party’s state unit also alleged on social media that the state government has been delaying the submission of required documents related to the Beldanga violence case to the National Investigation Agency. The party further contended that border districts such as Malda and Murshidabad are highly sensitive and that the state government’s policies could adversely impact internal security.

Responding to these allegations, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Jay Prakash Majumdar said that all necessary details have already been provided to the central investigating agencies. Despite this, he added, such accusations continue to be made. In a sharp remark, he said that the functioning of these agencies is well known to all.

The violence in Beldanga erupted on January 16 following reports of the death of a local migrant worker in Jharkhand. Protests broke out, with demonstrators blocking National Highway 12 and railway tracks. Incidents of vandalism and clashes with police were also reported during the unrest.

On the morning of January 17, further road and rail blockades were staged over the alleged mistreatment of another migrant worker in Bihar. Considering the gravity of the situation, the National Investigation Agency took over the probe from the state police on the directions of the Union Home Ministry and registered a case to begin its investigation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh