Kolkata, June 6: The West Bengal government, led by the BJP, has announced an investigation into the violence, arson, and damage to public property that occurred during the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has directed the state’s Director General of Police (DGP), Siddh Nath Gupta, to conduct a thorough inquiry into these incidents.
Following the passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill in December 2019, which was approved by both houses of Parliament and received presidential assent, widespread protests erupted across the country, including in West Bengal. During this period, numerous allegations of violence, arson, and damage to government properties were reported in various parts of the state.
Incidents included the burning of buses, damage to railway property, and vandalism at multiple locations. Now, following a change in government, the BJP is preparing to take action regarding these cases.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari instructed the DGP to investigate all complaints related to damage to government property during the CAA protests in 2019. A special cell within the state police will be established to handle these investigations.
According to administrative sources, the office of this special cell will be set up in the Chief Minister’s constituency, Bhawanipur. The cell will review old cases, prepare new files, and identify the culprits.
The state government has also decided that if an individual is found guilty of damaging government property, they will be required to compensate for the losses incurred.
The railway police will also be involved in investigating incidents of arson, looting, and vandalism in railway areas.
Administrative sources indicate that the highest number of property damage complaints were recorded in Murshidabad district and the Uluberia area of Howrah. Allegations of vandalism and arson were reported at the Beldanga police station, alongside incidents of train arson and looting in Uluberia.
The government asserts that a fair investigation will be conducted, legal action will be taken against those responsible, and compensation for the damage to government property will be ensured.
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