Saying that constitutional courts cannot be a silent spectators, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad in Bengal, where three people have died as a result of anti -Waqf protests.
Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were thrown in security forces, and yesterday roads were blocked in Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts during protest against new laws.
The High Court underlined that every citizen has the right to life and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the life and property of every citizen is safe.
The court said, “Constitutional courts cannot be a silent spectator and hug themselves in technical defense when the safety and security of the people is in danger. The first Central Armed Forces could increase the deployment situation as it appears that sufficient measures have not been taken on time,” the court said.
The court stated that the situation is “severe and unstable”, underlining that action is to be taken against the culprits to arrest the atrocities on innocent civilians on “war footing”.
“We cannot close an eye for various reports that have surfaced, which shows Prima Fasi in some districts of the state of West Bengal. The deployment of para-monkey forces or Central Armed Police Forces is aimed at the purpose of state administration to ensure the security and safety of the population in this state only,” It can be stated that “not that”.
The central force will work in coordination with the state administration. The court directed both the state government and the Center to submit a detailed report on the situation.
A special bench, which included Justice Samen Sen and Raja Basu Chaudhary, was formed by the Chief Justice, who was demanding the deployment of central forces in the district after hearing a petition filed by the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on 17 April.
Governor CV Anand Bose welcomed the directive of the Calcutta High Court for the deployment of central forces in violence-Hit areas of Murshidabad district on Saturday night.
In a video message released by Raj Bhavan, the Governor said, “I have been told about the deployment of CAPF in the riot-affected areas of Bengal including Murshidabad.
Earlier today, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her state would not implement the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act and appealed for peace and harmony.
“We have made our position clear on this matter – we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?” He said in a post on X.
Ms. Banerjee warned against the political misuse of religion and warned of legal action against those who instigated the riots.
The Chief Minister said, “Remember, we did not make a law that many people are agitating. The law was made by the Central Government. So the reply you want should be sought from the Central Government.”
Director General of Police Rajiv Kumar warned the agitators that the state police would not tolerate any attempt to disrupt law and order in the name of protest.
