From Murshidabad to Mahesh Tala, Bengal Police Helpless Against Multiple Riots

Troubling coincidences have come to light from reports of communal violence in West Bengal—from Murshidabad to Mahesh Tala.

- SUPROTIM MUKHERJEE

Troubling coincidences have come to light from reports of communal violence in West Bengal—from Murshidabad to Mahesh Tala. These have sparked widespread concern and allegations that law enforcement authorities are failing to curb mob violence involving minority communities.

On Wednesday, a clash broke out between two groups in Mahesh Tala—hardly 15 km from the heart of Kolkata—under Rabindranagar Police Station area, over the construction of a shop by a Muslim vendor by allegedly encroaching upon the land of a temple. As the police tried to intervene, minority community members threw stones which left many policemen, including an IPS officer, injured.

Social media posts and local accounts describe chaotic scenes, with claims that police have been ineffective or reluctant to intervene, raising questions about law and order in the state.

"The incident took place barely 200 meters away from the Rabindranagar Police Station. Yet for more than two hours, the police just stood by and let the mob attack our temple and demolish our tulsi mancha," said an eyewitness, who requested anonymity.

"For close to two hours, hundreds of people kept throwing stones targeting our houses. Imagine, this happened when the police station is in the vicinity. For two hours, no police came to save us," said 63-year-old resident, Ramjanki Mahato.

Fifty people were arrested in connection with the clashes between the two groups and prompted the administration to impose prohibitory orders in the area.