Murshidabad Violence: TMC Leader Involved, Local Police Completely Inactive And Absent, Says Calcutta High Court Panel Report

The report submitted by probe committee formed by the Calcutta High Court has alleged that a local Trinamool Congress leader was involved in the violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district last month that led to large-scale destruction and loss of life, NDTV reported.

The violence occurred on 11 and 12 April, days after the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill.

According to the committee report, the attacks were “directed by the local councillor Mehboob Alam... the local police was completely inactive and absent," the report was quoted as saying by NDTV.

The report was submitted to a division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday (20 May).

The main attack reportedly began on Friday, 11 April, after 2:30 pm.

"Local councillor Mehboob Alam came with miscreants," the report noted.

Residents of Samserganj, Hizaltala, Shiulitala, Digri came masking their face, the report said.

The document also cited the role of another individual, "Amirul Islam came, saw which houses were not attacked, and then the attackers set them ablaze... The villagers of Betbona telephoned, but the West Bengal Police did not respond... The MLA was also present. He saw the vandalism and went away."

The attackers allegedly cut off the water supply to prevent extinguishing of the fire.

A total of 113 houses were severely damaged in Betbona village.

The homes are destroyed and "would not be habitable without thorough re-construction... the women of the village are afraid and have taken shelter with their relatives," the report said.

The report further stated that on 12 April, a man and his son from a Hindu family were killed by their Muslim neighbours.

The aftermath saw extensive destruction of shops, markets, and temples, including 29 shops in Ghoshpara and a loot in a shopping mall-style market, all within 300 metres of the local police station.

The committee, comprising members from the National Human Rights Commission, the State Legal Services Authority, and the Judicial Services, visited the affected areas and recorded testimonies from the victims.

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