A joint fact-finding mission by the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) and the Bandi Mukti Committee has alleged severe police negligence, communal bias, and human rights violations following communal violence that erupted in Samsherganj, Murshidabad, on April 11 and 12.
The violence, which reportedly stemmed from tensions surrounding the Waqf movement, resulted in the deaths of three individuals, along with widespread arson, looting, and injuries, according to a press release issued Monday.
The investigation, which spanned 14 days, found that prompt police intervention could have curtailed the escalation. “Victims across communities stated unanimously that early action by police could have prevented the violence,” the release said.
Two victims, Hargobind Das and Chandan Das, died in Jafrabad after allegedly being left without medical attention for more than three hours.
The report also raised serious concerns over the involvement of Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, stating that Ijaz Ahmed was killed and at least 13 other Muslim residents sustained gunshot wounds. Eyewitnesses claimed that BSF forces wore slippers — an unusual sight — and alleged that right-wing militia members may have impersonated BSF personnel.
The fact-finding teams further accused police of disproportionately arresting Muslim citizens, including minors, without due process. They alleged that night-time raids were being conducted without arrest memos and that detainees were often held beyond the 24-hour legal limit and subjected to custodial violence.
A review of nearly 300 first information reports (FIRs) revealed what the groups called “copy-paste” charges with only names altered — an indication, they say, of fabricated and Islamophobic complaints.
The FIR narratives also suggested an alleged strategy to sow discord between Dalits and Muslims, a tactic the report attributed to Hindu nationalist organisations.
The fact-finding report called for a neutral judicial inquiry, compensation for victims of BSF firing, the release of those detained under false charges, and an end to arbitrary police raids. They also demanded that the district administration lift a ban on democratic gatherings and ensure legal aid for undertrial detainees who cannot afford representation.
This story was originally published in maktoobmedia.com.