Kolkata. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday sent an email to the police of Murshidabad district of West Bengal asking them to provide the case diary related to the violence in Beldanga last month. An NIA official gave this information on Thursday.
He said that till now no concrete steps have been taken to hand over the case diary of the Beldanga violence case to the NIA. The Central Investigation Agency claims that the Supreme Court has directed that the case diary of the Beldanga violence case be submitted by February 26. At present, NIA is keeping an eye on the next action of Murshidabad Police in this case.
It is noteworthy that in January this year, Beldanga in Murshidabad district had become the center of unrest for a long time, when the news of the death of Alauddin Shaikh, a migrant worker from the district, came to light in Jharkhand. When Alauddin’s body reached Jharkhand on January 16, local people took to the streets. Protests were also held against the deaths of migrant workers from West Bengal in other states.
On January 16, protesters blocked the national highway, burnt tires and staged a violent protest against Alauddin’s death. Train services on the Sealdah-Lalgola railway route were also disrupted due to the protest. On the same day, a female journalist was also attacked in Beldanga.
Although the police controlled the demonstration on the first day itself, the situation again became tense on 17 January. Police later claimed in court that the first day’s protests were somewhat spontaneous, while the second day’s unrest was planned. A total of 36 people, including a political party leader, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence.
Calcutta High Court had said that if the Central Government wishes, it can hand over the investigation of Beldanga violence case to NIA. Also, if necessary, the state government can demand additional forces from the Center to maintain law and order. After this decision of the High Court, the Union Home Ministry handed over the investigation of the case to the NIA.
During the hearing on the demand of the state government, the Supreme Court did not stay the NIA investigation. However, the top court directed that the NIA submit a report in a sealed cover to the division bench of the Calcutta High Court on prima facie basis for invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act during the investigation of the Beldanga violence case.
It was also said that the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant will consider this report independently and hear the appeal of the state government.
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