Ekbalpur Clashes: Calcutta HC Orders Formation Of SIT, Says Central Forces Not Required

The High Court observed that as per the state government, the situation in the area is peaceful, so there is no need to deploy central forces.

Calcutta High Court building (Source: File photo/Getty)

New Delhi: The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered an SIT to investigate the clashes in Kolkata's Ekbalpur area, as reported by news agency PTI. During the hearing of petitions filed for investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), the High Court today directed the DGP of West Bengal and the Commissioner of Police, Kolkata to constitute an SIT for investigation. The Calcutta High Court observed that as per the state government, the situation in the area is peaceful, so there is no need to deploy central forces, as quoted by PTI.

Earlier, during the hearing in the morning session, the High Court took a tough stand on the bomb blasts during the violence. The High Court asked Mamata Banerjee's government whether the central government was informed about the bomb blasts during the violence. Because according to the NIA Act, there is a mandatory provision to inform the Central Government about the blasts. The High Court had sought a reply from the state government in this regard by 2 pm today.

The High Court gave this direction while hearing two petitions seeking an NIA probe into the Ekbalpur communal violence. The High Court held that it is necessary to send a mandatory report to the Center under Section 6 of the NIA Act, to decide whether an investigation by the central agency NIA is required.

A division bench headed by Justice Joymalya Bagchi heard the matter. Advocate TM Siddiqui, present in the court on behalf of the Bengal government, told the court that five FIRs have been filed on Sunday in Mayurbhanj regarding violence in the Ekbalpur area of ​​South West Kolkata. He also submitted a report in this regard.

According to news agency ANI, on October 9, a clash erupted between two groups from two different communities after a religious flag was allegedly torn by some miscreants during the Eid Milad-Un-Nabi festival. Later, a group of people reached Ekbalpore PS demanding the arrest of the accused in the incident.