Has the Rule of Law Collapsed in West Bengal Amid Beldanga Tension?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ongoing tensions in Beldanga reflect broader governance issues in West Bengal.
- Protests have resulted in significant disruptions to daily life.
- BJP claims the ruling party is allowing lawlessness to prevail.
- Alauddin Sheikh’s death raises serious questions regarding police conduct.
- Community members are facing dire conditions as unrest continues.
Kolkata, Jan 16 (NationPress) The BJP asserted on Friday that the ongoing unrest, blockades, and instances of stone-throwing in Beldanga, West Bengal, following the return of a migrant worker's body—who was reportedly murdered in Jharkhand—highlight the collapse of law and order in the state.
Protesters have obstructed National Highways and railway tracks, resulting in a complete disruption of daily life since Friday morning.
Reports have surfaced regarding extensive stone-pelting targeting vehicles on the National Highway and trains on the tracks.
Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP Information Technology Cell and the party’s central observer for West Bengal, released a statement on his social media, claiming that the tension in Beldanga signifies a clear breakdown of law and order in the state, with thugs supported by the ruling Trinamool Congress operating with impunity.
“In Beldanga, Murshidabad district, anti-social elements have completely immobilized the National Highway for almost three hours. Stone-pelting continues unhindered, trains have been forcibly halted, and the area is under the control of criminals, with no evidence of police action thus far,” Malviya stated, adding that thousands of passengers are left stranded, terrified, fatigued, and without food or water, with no end in sight.
“This situation clearly indicates that governance in West Bengal is deteriorating. Anti-social elements and rioters, enjoying the support of the ruling TMC, have been given a free pass to disrupt normal life at their discretion, driving the state toward chaos,” Malviya continued.
The deceased migrant worker has been identified as Alauddin Sheikh (36), a resident of Sujarpur-Kamarpur village panchayat in Beldanga, Murshidabad district.
Sheikh had been residing in Jharkhand and was making a living as a street vendor.
Family members of Sheikh reported that they received news of his death from Jharkhand on Thursday morning.
According to the Jharkhand Police, Sheikh's body was discovered hanging in his rented accommodation.
However, his family asserts that the police are attempting to label the incident as suicide; they firmly believe that Sheikh was first lynched and then his body was hanged.