On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Court directed the West Bengal government to provide a report on the recent clashes in Rishra, Hooghly district. The court issued the directive when lawyers representing senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari mentioned the matter before a division bench. The court asked Adhikari to file a supplementary affidavit regarding the incident, and that the State government to file a short report and the matter is due to be heard on April 5.
The incident at the Rail Gate number 4 in Rishra on Monday night had derailed the Howrah-Bardhaman main line train services. The bench was headed by Acting Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam. A clash had occurred in Rishra during a Ram Navami procession, following which the police had imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC and also blocked internet services in the area.
The Bench had issued an earlier directive to the State government on Monday to file a comprehensive report by April 5 on the violence situation in Shibpur, Howrah and the steps taken to restore peace there. The court had asked for the CCTV and video footage related to the incident. Also, police had been asked to make necessary deployments.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari had filed a PIL seeking an NIA investigation into the violence in Shibpur and also prayed for deploying central forces there. He had alleged that bombs were hurled during the clashes.
The West Bengal government should take necessary measures to ensue peace and security in the state in order to avoid such incidences in the future. The court should ensure that the due legal process is followed without fail, and justice is served to everyone. The citizens of West Bengal understandably have grave concerns over the law and order situation in the state. Therefore, timely action to investigate the incident and to ensure the safety of the citizens can help restore normalcy and people’s trust in the government.
