Holding that it cannot turn a blind eye to reports of vandalism in a few districts of West Bengal, the Calcutta high court has ordered deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district, which has been hit by violence allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
As reported by PTI, The court said this direction will not be limited to Murshidabad district only and ‘as and when required it should be extended to other districts faced with similar situation’ and central forces may be deployed immediately to arrest the situation and bring normalcy.
“We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie shows vandalism in few districts of the State of West Bengal,” a division bench presided by Justice Soumen Sen said.
The court noted that apart from Murshidabad, incidents have been reported from Amtala in South 24 Parganas district, in North 24 Parganas district and at Champdani in Hooghly.
At least three people were killed in the clashes in Murshidabad and over 138 have been arrested in connection with the violence.
The central forces will operate ‘in cooperation’ with the state administration, the bench directed.
“Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are at danger,” the bench, also comprising Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury, observed.
