West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose on April 18, 2025 at a relief camp in Par Lalpur, Malda meets with villagers displaced by the recent episodes of violence.
| Photo Credit: PTI
Teams from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission for Women (NCW), as well as West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose visited West Bengal’s Malda district on Friday to meet people affected by recent violence in Murshidabad district.
Hundreds of people had taken shelter in a school in Malda after fleeing from violence in the Dhulian and Samsherganj areas of Murshidabad on April 11 and 12. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged the Governor not to visit the violence-affected areas and wait for the situation to normalise. Mr. Bose, however, insisted that he should visit the field to assess the situation for himself before sending reports to the concerned authorities.
Assessing situation
The NHRC had taken suo motu cognisance of the violence at Murshidabad and the members of the NHRC team spoke to the families affected by the violence who had taken shelter in Parlalpur High School in Malda. The delegation of National Commission for Women (NCW) led by Vijaya Kishore Rahatkar also met the affected families.
“We have received reports that women in the affected areas and relief camps are not being treated properly. The NCW has formed an inquiry committee. We will speak to the victims and assess the situation before submitting a detailed report,” Ms. Rahatkar told media persons while leaving for Kolkata. The NCW team is expected to visit Murshidabad on Sunday.
Restoring normalcy
The Governor also arrived in Malda district to meet the riot victims. “The purpose of my visit is to establish normalcy and ensure peace in the society,” Mr. Bose told journalists. “What has happened should never happen in West Bengal,” he said, adding that steps should be taken to ensure that the people return to their homes.
While the Governor met people in the relief camp, a group of protestors asked why media persons have not been allowed inside in the camp with him.
‘Fomenting trouble’
The Governor’s visit and the presence of members of the NCW and NHRC in Malda evoked a strong response from the leaders of the ruling Trinamool Congress, who accused the Governor of acting in an “irresponsible manner”.
“When the CM had requested him, he should have honoured it. But his intention is to create tensions in the area and create trouble. The NCW and NHRC teams are also visiting the area to help the BJP foment more trouble, and they don’t want restoration of normalcy in the area,” Trinamool Congress MP Sougata Roy said.
According to the West Bengal police, about 60 FIRs have been registered, while 274 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence, which claimed three lives and left thousands homeless.
Published – April 18, 2025 12:26 pm IST
