Matigara Violence: VHP calls Siliguri Bandh on June 2

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI,: The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called a 24-hour Siliguri bandh on June 2 to protest the Matigara incident where communal violence erupted on Friday after a vehicle allegedly carrying beef in sacks were vandalized and burnt.

A large contingent of police along with Rapid Action Force has been deployed to control the situation at Matigara. Three members of Bajrang Dal were also arrested for allegedly spreading violence.

The situation turned volatile at Tumbajote area since Friday morning after some alleged Hindu members stopped a vehicle coming from Naxalbari carrying alleged beef in several sacks. The four occupants were trashed and the vehicle set on fire by the mob.

Later, shops of Hindu outfit groups were vandalized by alleged Muslim groups who also physically assaulted men, women and children in the area.

Victims said the 100-strong mob carried swords, sticks and knives.

On Saturday, the mob attacked the house of Bajrang Dal member Amit Gupta, who had been arrested the previous day for inciting communal violence.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, MLA Anandmoy Barman and VHP West Bengal & Sikkim general secretary Laxman Banshal visited Gupta’s house. They have demanded an immediate arrest of the miscreants.

Banshal then called a Siliguri strike on June 2 to protest the alleged torture on the Hindus. He said the Hindus in Bengal especially in Murshidabad, Malda and now Siliguri are feeling insecure while the police of Mamata Banerjee government are keeping mum to safeguard the miscreants.

The government has not allotted any cow slaughter points in this area and Naxalbari has now become the hub for cow slaughter, said Banshal.

On June 2, the Hindu groups are organizing a rally to reach Siliguri court premises and submit a representation to the SDO on the incident.

In a press statement, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista said a group of over 100+ individuals associated with a suspected radical Islamist organization specifically targeted and attacked Hindu families near Tumbajote in Matigara. The radical Islamists have attacked homes, places of business, and even tried to behead Hindu youths, attacked little children and women, leaving them grievously injured, he said.

“Instead of arresting those who perpetrated the attack, the West Bengal police has arrested Hindu youths for resisting. This is simply unacceptable. We are witnessing a deeply concerning rise in illegal Rohingya settlements in our "Chicken Neck" region. Despite growing public unease, the West Bengal administration and police have shown a conspicuous lack of action, turning a blind eye to these developments,” said Bista, also the BJP national spokesperson.

Bista added that today’s unprovoked attack on peaceful Hindu families in Balason, Matigara reflects a disturbing pattern.

“It is symptomatic of a radical ideology that appears to be taking root under the tacit support of State authorities. The situation in the area has become particularly alarming, it has turned into a hub for drug trafficking, human trafficking, fake currency circulation, and other unlawful activities. Despite widespread awareness among local residents and law enforcement, no substantial action has been taken.”

The Darjeeling MP urged the Union Home minister to initiate an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the attack in Tumbajote. We fear this may be a continuation of the unchecked violence seen previously in Murshidabad and Malda, he said.

“I am warning the administration that any and all such unprovoked attacks will be responded to by the people. The people of Siliguri and nearby areas will not remain a mute spectator. Should any law and order situation arise as a consequence, the full responsibility will lie with the West Bengal government for its continued inaction and failure to uphold justice,” said Bista.