NIA begins probe into Beldanga violence in West Bengal

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday (January 31, 2026) began its probe into the violence that erupted in West Bengal’s Beldanga in Murshidabad, following the news of the death of a migrant worker in Jharkhand earlier this month, an officer said.

The NIA team reached the Beldanga police station in the morning and talked to the officials involved in the probe, and sought documents from them. Following the directions of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Central agency had registered a fresh case.

“The focus of the investigation is to determine whether the violence was the result of any organised conspiracy, the spread of fake or misleading information, or deliberate provocation to stoke communal passion,” an NIA official said.

Tension flared up in Beldanga and adjoining areas on January 16 after news spread that a migrant worker from the area had died an unnatural death at his shelter in Jharkhand.

The situation remained volatile for nearly two days as the news of another assault of a migrant worker in Bihar hailing from the region came, with incidents of unrest reported across the area. Protesters blocked National Highway-12 and railway tracks at Beldanga, affecting rail and road traffic.

Against this backdrop, the Centre decided to hand over the investigation to the NIA. A special NIA court has directed the West Bengal Police to hand over all documents, records, and details related to the investigation without delay. Earlier, State police had arrested 35 people in connection with the violence.