Calcutta High Court expresses concern over recurring violence at Murshidabad

Expressing concern over repeated incidents of violence and unrest in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) directed the police and the State administration to ensure that peace was maintained there. 

The order came in relation to two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) that were filed at the court last week — one PIL was filed by Mr. Adhikari, and another was filed by a local resident of Beldanga. 

Mr. Adhikari welcomed the High Court’s intervention in the Beldanga violence. “In an application filed by me in connection with the Beldanga riots, the Hon’ble Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and the Hon’ble Justice Partha Sarathi Sen have directed today the deployment of five companies of the Border Security Force as available in Beldanga, and full utilisation thereof by the State,” Mr. Adhikari said.  

This is in relation to the use of Central forces already present in the area, who had been deployed after the communal riots in Murshidabad in early 2025. 

The court also directed the Superintendent of Police and the District Magistrate of Murshidabad to take necessary action to stop any further violence in the area, and ensure peace. 

Mr. Adhikari had also asked for a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the violence, which the court has said would be decided after an analysis of a report by the State government on the issue. 

Violence erupted at Beldanga in Murshidabad on January 16 over the death of a migrant worker, who hailed from the area, in the neighbouring State of Jharkhand. A large number of people took to the streets by blocking railway tracks and a national highway for several hours. 

At least 12 persons were injured in the clashes and around 30 persons were arrested by the local police for inciting violence. Several media persons were also attacked and injured in the clashes. 

Leaders of both the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) blamed and took digs at the other party for the violence. While BJP leaders said the violence was communal in nature, the TMC said that certain factions of the Opposition were instigating people towards violence.