Hindus Targeted, Water Supply Cut To Stop Fire Fighting: Here's What Probe Committee Reported On Murshidabad Violence

The investigation committee constituted by the Calcutta High Court, in its report, has said that a leader of the state's ruling party, Trinamool Congress (TMC), named Mehboob Alam, was involved in the violence that took place during the protest against the Waqf Amendment Act in several areas of Murshidabad in Bengal last month. Mehboob Alam is a TMC councillor, as per a report by Jagran.com.

The report has been presented before the High Court Bench. During the course of the investigation, the committee members visited the villages and talked to the victims of the violence.

The investigation team included members of the National Human Rights Commission, State Legal Services Authority, and Judicial Services.

Police Inactive, Hindus targeted

The report said that the local police were completely inactive and absent at various places during the violence that was targeted against Hindus.

The violence erupted in several West Bengal districts in April after the Parliament passed the Waqf Amendment Bill. The most severely affected district was Murshidabad, where three people lost their lives while several others were injured. Several families fled the districts and took shelter in shelters in Malda.

ALSO READ: Murshidabad Waqf Violence: 12 People, Including Prime Suspect's Sons Detained By West Bengal STF In Odisha

The report also said that 113 houses were the worst affected in the village. On April 12, a Hindu family man and his son were murdered by their Muslim neighbours. The violence that followed left shops and markets in the area in ruins.

Houses selectively attacked, water supply cut

The report also highlighted indiscriminate arson and looting, and the continuous destruction of shops and goods.

The main attack took place after 2.30 pm on Friday, 11 April, when local councillor Mehboob Alam arrived with the rioters. The rioters came with their faces covered. Local leader Amirul Islam checked which houses had not been attacked, and then the attackers set them on fire. The attackers had cut off the water connection, so the fire could not be extinguished.

Grocery shops, hardware shops, electrical and textile shops were destroyed. 29 shops were destroyed in Ghoshpada. Temples were also destroyed. All this happened within 300 meters of the local police station.

ALSO READ: Bengal Governor, NCW Team Visit Violence-Hit Areas Of Murshidabad, Meet Victims | Top Developments