Heavy police deployment was seen in Naxalbari's Hatighisa village on Wednesday after a mob vandalised and torched several houses in the Muribasti area over the murder of a local on Tuesday. Images from Naxalbari showed residents of the area staging a blockade and igniting a fire in the middle of a road. Rapid Action Force personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force had to be deployed to control the situation.
The agitation reportedly started after a man was lynched while on his way to the hospital to admit his son. Sudhir Nagashia of the Vijaynagar tea garden area in Naxalbari was taking his sick four-year-old son to the hospital when he was waylaid by a group. An argument ensued between the two parties, which eventually led to a fight. Sudhir was thrashed and was taken to Naxalbari Rural Hospital with serious injuries. From there he was sent to North Bengal Medical College. Doctors declared him dead there.
Another murder occurred on Monday. According to Bengal-based online media outlet Siliguri Times, Saran Bishwakarma, a resident of Naxalbari was stabbed to death near the School Dangi More. He was rushed to the Naxalbari Hospital where he passed away. The police have arrested one person for his alleged involvement in the murder.
Bengal is currently witnessing incidents of violence over the panchayat polls, with the ruling Trinamool Congress and the Opposition, comprising the BJP and the Left-Congress alliance, blaming each other. The Nomination process for the Bengal panchayat polls ended on June 16 and the voting will be held on July 8. In the wake of the violence, Calcutta High Court had ordered the State Election Commission to requisition Central armed forces. The Mamata Banerjee government opposed the order in Supreme Court, but the apex court refused to "interfere" and upheld the high court's order.