(PTI photo)
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday took serious note of the Malda hostage incident, where protesters gheraoed judicial officers for several hours in poll-bound West Bengal. The court also issued show-cause notices to the state’s chief secretary and DGP.Trouble began on Wednesday afternoon in West Bengal’s Malda district when a group of protesters gathered outside the Kaliachak 2 Block Development Office around 4pm. They were angry over the alleged removal of names from the voter list during the special intensive revision (SIR) process.
The protesters first demanded a meeting with the judicial officers present inside the office. When they were not allowed in, the situation escalated. The crowd surrounded the building, effectively trapping seven judicial officers, including three women, inside.As hours passed, the protest intensified. Demonstrators also blocked National Highway 12 (Kolkata-Siliguri route), disrupting traffic and increasing pressure on authorities.Late at night, a large number of security personnel reached the spot to carry out a rescue operation. When officers were brought out after midnight, protesters tried to stop their vehicles by placing bamboo poles on the road and even attempted to damage them.Police then used batons to disperse the crowd and safely evacuate the officials. During the chaos, there were claims that some protesters were injured, though this was not officially confirmed.The situation finally calmed down after an Additional District Magistrate arrived and assured the protesters that eligible voters’ names would be restored within four days. Following this, the road blockade was lifted.Later, the Election Commission sought a report on the incident from the state police chief.
What the Supreme Court said
The court directed the chief secretary and the DGP to explain why action should not be taken against them, terming the incident an “abdication of duty” and questioning their “inaction.” Calling the episode “deplorable,” the top court said it appeared to be a “calculated and motivated” attempt to demoralise judicial officers and disrupt the ongoing electoral process.It made clear that it would not allow anyone to interfere with the process or take the law into their own hands, describing the incident as a psychological attack on officials. The court said the state government led by Mamata Banerjee must inform the Election Commission and seek deployment of central forces to ensure the safety of judicial officers.The court also allowed the Election Commission to consider seeking a CBI or NIA probe into the matter. Observing a “complete breakdown of law and order,” it directed that central forces be deployed to protect officers handling objections under the SIR process.At the same time, the Supreme Court urged leaders across political parties not to politicise the issue and to speak in one voice on ensuring the safety of officials. It stressed that those responsible for maintaining law and order must remain more vigilant.
What Mamata said
Mamata accused the Bharatiya Janata Party of plotting to get the West Bengal polls cancelled and impose President’s rule, following the Malda incident.Addressing a rally in Sagardighi, she criticised the EC for failing to maintain law and order in the state.“BJP’s game plan is to get Assembly polls cancelled in Bengal and impose President’s rule,” she said, adding, “The Election Commission failed to control law and order in Bengal.”