West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose Visits Murshidabad and Malda Amid Communal Tensions
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Wednesday undertook a visit to the violence-hit districts of Murshidabad and Malda, regions that have been on edge since the outbreak of communal clashes during Ram Navami processions earlier this month. His visit, marked by meetings with victims and administrative officials, comes at a time when the state’s handling of the law and order situation has drawn sharp criticism.
Bose first arrived in Murshidabad, where he visited Beldanga and Raninagar, both areas that witnessed arson, looting, and stone-pelting during the communal flare-up. He met with those affected by the violence, particularly members of the Hindu community whose homes and shops were torched. After assessing the damage and listening to their grievances, he expressed concern over the lack of timely intervention by the administration. “The situation should not have been allowed to escalate to this level,” he reportedly remarked during one of the meetings.
Later in the day, the Governor reached Malda and visited Kaliachak, another flashpoint in the recent communal unrest. Interacting with locals and visiting sites of the violence, Bose stressed the importance of restoring confidence among the people and ensuring justice is delivered to the victims.
The Governor’s visit comes in the wake of a fact-finding report by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), which alleged that children were used in violent protests and communal mobilizations in the region. Civil society groups and political opposition have blamed the Mamata Banerjee-led government for allowing sensitive areas to spiral out of control during religious events, citing police inaction and delayed response as major factors.
The Trinamool Congress government has, however, dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, even as video evidence and first-hand testimonies from victims have circulated on social media. A growing section of the public and opposition leaders have demanded stronger security measures, with some even calling for the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in the worst-affected zones, a demand that has so far not been acknowledged by the Centre.
The Governor’s visit is being seen as a signal of the Centre’s increasing concern over law and order in West Bengal, with murmurs of central intervention growing louder as the Lok Sabha elections draw nearer. As victims continue to demand compensation and justice, the role of both the state administration and central agencies will come under sharp scrutiny in the days to come.
