Calcutta HC Calls for Urgent Action to Quell Violence in Bengal's Murshidabad

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The Calcutta High Court has expressed concern over repeated incidents of violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, and directed the police and administration to ensure peace is maintained in the region. A division bench, led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul, ordered local authorities to take all necessary measures to prevent further unrest. The court also suggested that the state government may request central forces if needed to restore order. The court's directive comes after two public interest litigations (PILs) were filed, seeking the deployment of central forces in Beldanga, Murshidabad, following a series of violent incidents. On January 16, protesters blocked National Highway 12 for six hours after a migrant worker from Beldanga was allegedly killed in Jharkhand. The situation escalated further on January 17 when migrant workers from Murshidabad were allegedly heckled in Bihar. The police managed to bring the situation under control on Saturday, but the Calcutta High Court has ordered an investigation into the incidents. The central government will review reports from the state government before deciding whether to hand over the probe to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The court has also directed both the Centre and the state government to file affidavits detailing their stance on the matter. This is not the first time the Calcutta High Court has intervened in Murshidabad. In April 2025, the court ordered the deployment of central forces in the district after communal violence broke out over protests against the Waqf Amendment Act, resulting in at least two fatalities. The court is now pushing for swift action to prevent further violence and ensure the safety and livelihood of local residents.