Mamata govt could have prevented Murshidabad-like violence, role of radical Bangladeshi outfits should be probed: Rakesh Ashtana

Rakesh Asthana

Former Director General of Border Security Force (BSF), Rakesh Asthana, attributed the events of violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad district to a broken law and order situation in the region. Speaking to News 18, Asthana categorically stated that law and order is the sole domain of the state government and the violence in West Bengal reflects how the state government has been found vulnerable.

Commenting on the geographical location of Murshidabad district, Ashtana said the district has a history of illegal migration and it won't be something new if the recent attacks on Hindus was part of a coordinated attack by illegal infiltrators. He also stressed that there are possibilities that radical outfits in Bangladesh  try to use the sensitive situation in certain districts to their advantage.

Speaking on illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, Ashtana said: Border should be 100% fenced, whoever has come should be sent back. BSF has to work in tandom with local police." He further added that the recent spate of violence could have been prevented if the local authorities acted swiftly to apprehend the probable trouble makers. "Clear law and order break down happened in Murshidabad. Anti-socials should have been picked pre-emptively, situation should have been handled with firmness."

Murshidabad had emerged as the epicentre of a deepening crisis in West Bengal, where protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, recently cleared by Parliament and given presidential assent, have spiralled into violent unrest. At least three people are confirmed dead, over 150 individuals were arrested and several districts are reeling under chaos as a consequence of communal mobilisation and a serious lapse of administrative foresight.

According to news agency PTI, the violence erupted as supporters of the Indian Secular Front clashed with cops in the Bhangar area, leading to injuries and arson of police vehicles. The ISF supporters were reportedly moving towards the Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata, to attend an anti-Waqf law rally to be addressed by the party's MLA, Naushad Siddique.

The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was cleared by Parliament this month - after 30+ hours of bitter sniping between the ruling BJP and the opposition, including the Trinamool.  Among the big changes, the revised Waqf laws mandate the nomination of two non-Muslim members to state Waqf boards and the central Waqf council. It also requires individuals making donations certify themselves as 'practicing Muslims' for at least five years previously.