Kolkata: Holding that it cannot turn a blind eye to reports of vandalism in a few districts of West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district, which has been hit by violence allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
The court said this direction will not be limited to the Murshidabad district only and “as and when required, it should be extended to other districts faced with similar situation,” and central forces may be deployed immediately to arrest the situation and bring normalcy.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie shows vandalism in few districts of the State of West Bengal,” a division bench presided by Justice Soumen Sen said.
Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were thrown at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence erupted in Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly districts during protests over the new legislation yesterday.
The High Court underlined that every citizen has the right to life and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the life and property of every citizen is secured.
“Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are at danger. The deployment of Central Armed forces earlier could have escalated the situation as it appears adequate measures have not been taken in time,” said the court.
The court noted that the situation is “grave and volatile”, underlining that action is to be taken against the culprits to arrest the atrocities committed on innocent citizens on “war footing”.
The central forces will operate in coordination with the state administration. The court also instructed both the state government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation.
A special bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury was constituted by the Chief Justice to urgently hear a petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, seeking the deployment of central forces in the district.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17.
Governor CV Ananda Bose on Saturday night welcomed the Calcutta High Court’s directive for the deployment of central forces in violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district.
“I have been told about the deployment of CAPF in the riot-affected areas of Bengal, including Murshidabad. I am glad that the Calcutta High Court stepped in and given the appropriate decision in appropriate time,” the Governor said in a video message released by Raj Bhavan.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that her state would not implement the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act and appealed for peace and harmony.
“We have made our position clear on this matter – we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?” she said in a post on X.
Ms Banerjee cautioned against political misuse of religion and warned of legal action against those inciting riots.
“Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitating against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government,” the Chief Minister added.
Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar cautioned the agitators that the state police will not tolerate any attempts to disrupt law and order in the name of the protests.
