Clashes between two communities erupted in Mothabari, Malda district, West Bengal, prompting authorities to suspend internet services and impose prohibitory orders to prevent further escalation. A substantial police presence has been deployed, resulting in the arrest of 34 individuals linked to the unrest.
The Calcutta High Court has intervened, directing the District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police in Malda to submit a detailed action taken report by April 3. This directive follows a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the severity of the situation. The division bench, comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das De, emphasized the necessity for prompt and effective measures to restore peace and order in the area.
District Magistrate Nitin Singhania confirmed the implementation of prohibitory orders and the suspension of internet services, stating, "The situation is under control now. We are maintaining the strongest vigil in the area." The administration's swift actions aim to prevent misinformation and curb the spread of unrest.
The clashes have raised concerns about communal harmony in the region, with reports indicating that shops and public vehicles were vandalized during the unrest. The proximity of Mothabari to the India-Bangladesh border has further heightened security apprehensions, leading to the mobilization of additional Border Security Force personnel to bolster security measures.
Political reactions have been swift. The Bharatiya Janata Party has filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court, seeking the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces in Mothabari until normalcy is fully restored. The party alleges that specific communities were targeted during the violence and has called for stringent action against the perpetrators.
Amidst the turmoil, misinformation has been a significant challenge. Videos purportedly depicting the violence in Malda have been circulating on social media; however, fact-checking organizations have identified some of these videos as originating from unrelated incidents in Bangladesh. The West Bengal Police have issued statements clarifying that such videos are misleading and have no connection to the events in Malda, urging the public to refrain from sharing unverified content that could exacerbate tensions.