Murshidabad Unrest: Relief Camp Detainees Express Frustration Over Police 'Secrecy' in NHRC Discussions
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Synopsis
On April 18, the displaced victims of Murshidabad's communal violence expressed their frustration over the district police's alleged secrecy during National Human Rights Commission visits at their relief camp in Malda, West Bengal. They highlighted restrictions on communication and visiting relatives, along with dissatisfaction regarding food quality.
Key Takeaways
- Displaced victims of Murshidabad violence are in a relief camp in Malda.
- They accused police of maintaining secrecy during NHRC discussions.
- Police reportedly barred outsiders from entering the camp.
- Relatives were not allowed to visit those in the camp.
- Residents complained about poor food quality at the shelter.
Kolkata, April 18 (NationPress) The displaced individuals affected by the recent communal unrest in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, currently residing in a temporary relief facility at a school in the nearby Malda district, voiced their grievances on Friday. They accused the district police of enforcing strict secrecy during their discussions with representatives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) who visited the relief camp.
Following the departure of the NHRC officials late Friday afternoon, the displaced individuals began protesting, claiming that the police had transformed the shelter camp into a near fortress, allegedly to prevent any information regarding their conversations with the NHRC from leaking outside.
The residents contended that the police's approach to maintaining secrecy created significant inconvenience, as they not only restricted entry for outsiders into the camp but also hindered the residents' ability to exit the camp since Friday morning.
Moreover, they claimed that even their relatives traveling from Murshidabad to visit them were barred from entering the camps.
They further alleged that the entire relief camp area within the school was covered with a thick layer of tarpaulin, designed to obstruct displaced residents from engaging with media representatives and sharing their experiences from the violence that erupted in Murshidabad last week.
Additionally, they expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of food served at the relief camp.
"Most of the time, we receive stale food. Even local individuals willing to assist us are being prevented by the police from interacting with us. Our relatives are not being allowed to meet us. We have been kept isolated from the outside world," stated a female resident of the relief shelter in Malda.
The police, however, refuted the claims of intentionally maintaining absolute secrecy under the guise of security measures at the shelter.
According to police officials, security arrangements at the shelter camp were implemented due to the presence of VVIP movements throughout the day.
