Kolkata: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose is set to embark on a two-day visit to the violence-affected district of Murshidabad, underscoring his commitment to restoring peace “at any cost.” This visit comes amid rising tensions in the region and a pending petition in the Calcutta High Court seeking the extension of central forces’ deployment and the transfer of the ongoing probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Governor Bose expressed a strong resolve to personally assess the situation on the ground, stating that what occurred in Murshidabad was “shocking” and unacceptable. Despite opposition from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who urged postponement to allow ongoing confidence-building measures to take effect, the Governor is determined to proceed with his visit.
The Calcutta High Court recently heard a petition that highlights the gravity of the unrest, linked to protests against the anti-Waqf Act, which escalated into violent clashes involving mobs attacking both civilians and police with weapons. The unrest began peacefully on April 4 but took a violent turn by April 8, notably with a large mob blocking NH-12 at Umarpur and engaging in attacks including arson.
In response to the situation, the High Court suggested the establishment of a three-member oversight panel comprising representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the West Bengal State Human Rights Commission, and the State Legal Services Authority. This panel will oversee efforts to restore peace and aid in rehabilitating displaced residents.
Governor Bose’s itinerary will start in Malda, where he will visit refugee camps sheltering those displaced by the communal violence before proceeding to the most severely affected parts of Murshidabad. His visit, planned to conclude by Saturday morning, aims to provide an on-the-ground reality check and inform his report to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
