After two days of unrest, Beldanga in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district remains tense, affecting train services on the Sealdah-Lalgola section. While no fresh violence has been reported, the trains on this route have not yet resumed, causing inconvenience to daily commuters and traders. Buses are now operational after the blockade on National Highway 12 was lifted, with a significant police presence to maintain order.
Eastern Railway officials confirmed that trains on the Sealdah-Lalgola section are still not running as usual, with services only operating up to Krishnanagar before being diverted. Discussions are expected on Sunday to decide whether train operations can resume between Krishnanagar and Plassey. Additional Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel have been deployed at various stations to prevent any untoward incidents.
Due to the suspension of train services, many individuals are opting for buses, leading to increased traffic congestion. The disruption has particularly impacted traders who rely on transporting vegetables and cottage cheese from Murshidabad to Kolkata via Sealdah. The situation remains uncertain, with shops reopening in Beldanga market under close police surveillance, including the review of CCTV footage to monitor outsider movements.
On Saturday night, Murshidabad Police District Superintendent Sunny Raj announced the arrest of Matiur Rahman, believed to be the ‘mastermind’ behind the unrest in Beldanga. Four individuals have also been arrested in connection with the attack on media personnel. The SP highlighted that Saturday’s unrest was pre-planned, necessitating a lathi-charge by the police to disperse protesters. The Rapid Action Force is on standby to prevent further disturbances on Sunday.
The unrest in Beldanga escalated on Saturday morning following a protest over the alleged killing of a migrant worker from the district in Jharkhand. Protesters blocked National Highway 12, demanding justice for the incident, leading to clashes with the media and subsequent police intervention. The situation remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring the area to prevent any escalation of violence.
