West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose to Visit Violence-Hit Murshidabad. Governor Bose announced he will visit Murshidabad following recent violence, stating his determination to “impose peace at any cost.”
Kolkata: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose announced his official visit to the violence-affected district of Murshidabad, asserting his commitment to “impose peace at any cost.” He is set to conduct a two-day ground-level assessment starting today, despite significant opposition from state leaders, including Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Mr. Bose stated,
“I want to go to Murshidabad,”
“What transpired there is shocking. Such instances should never have happened. I want a reality check on the field. Peace must be restored and it will be, at any cost.”
His remarks come just before a fact-finding mission from the National Commission for Women (NCW) is scheduled to visit the district amid increasing scrutiny and tension.
The Calcutta High Court, On Thursday, reviewed a petition requesting an extension of central forces’ deployment in Murshidabad and the transfer of the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
The state submitted a report detailing a surge in violence during protests against the Waqf Act, indicating that both police and civilians faced attacks from armed mobs.
Mr. Bose mentioned that he has been regularly informing authorities and will consider filing a report with the Ministry of Home Affairs after his visit.
He remarked,
“This is the darkest hour before dawn,”
“Once I realize that peace has been restored, I will be the happiest person and make my report accordingly.”
When asked if his visit might lead to recommending President’s Rule in the state, he chose to be cautious in his response.
He said,
“As Governor, I should be circumspect,”
“I don’t want to speak about President’s Rule. It is Mamata Banerjee’s opinion that I should not go. But I want to. I have my own way of functioning. I want to assess things myself.”
Chief Minister Banerjee, asserting that normalcy is gradually returning, urged the Governor to delay his visit.
Ms. Banerjee stated,
“I would request non-locals not to visit Murshidabad right now. I would appeal to the governor to wait for a few more days as confidence-building measures are underway. I could have gone there, but then others would have also said they would visit, but the situation is not conducive now. An SIT has been formed to investigate the unrest in Murshidabad. I will visit the district at an appropriate time. I would request the governor not to visit the riot-hit district now,”
The Calcutta High Court, after reviewing the state’s report, proposed the creation of a three-member oversight panel that would include representatives from the National Human Rights Commission, the West Bengal State Human Rights Commission, and the State Legal Services Authority.
This panel will oversee the restoration of peace and the rehabilitation of displaced individuals in the region.
According to the state’s report, protests began peacefully on April 4 in police station areas of Jangipur but escalated significantly on April 8, when a mob of approximately 5,000 blocked NH-12 at Umarpur.
The report detailed attacks on police with bricks, iron rods, sharp weapons, and firebombs, as well as arson targeting government vehicles.
Further violence was reported on April 11 in Suti and Samsherganj, including damage to both public and private property. The police acknowledged firing at Sajur More in Suti in self-defense to protect officers and civilians.
So far, police have arrested 278 individuals across Murshidabad.
The Governor will begin his trip in Malda, where he will visit refugee camps housing those displaced by the communal violence. He will then move on to the most affected areas in Murshidabad and is expected to return either Friday night or Saturday morning.