As many as 40 persons were arrested by Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police at Maheshtala on in the intervening night of Wednesday (June 11, 2025) and Thursday in connection with violence that left several police personnel injured.
Clashes broke out between a few locals at ward number 7 at Maheshtala in West Bengal over the setting up of a shop on Wednesday afternoon and the situation took a communal turn with some people alleging attack on a place of worship. The violence between two groups spiralled out of control with mobs pelting stones at the police which tried to control the situation.
“Prohibitory orders have been imposed in the area and the situation is under control,” Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General ( Law and Order) West Bengal police told The Hindu.
Mr. Shamim said 28 persons have been arrested by West Bengal police and four personnel of the force sustained injuries. A Kolkata Police official said that 12 persons have been arrested by the city police. About a dozen personnel of Kolkata Police, including a Deputy Commissioner, were injured in the violence.
Seven FIRs have been registered in connection with the violence, including four at Nadial Police Station of Kolkata Police.
The area where violence broke out falls under the overlapping jurisdiction of Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police.
Tension prevailed and shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in the area on Thursday morning. There was a large deployment of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police personnel. Several vehicles, particularly motorbikes were also vandalised, which were cleared off the roads by the police. Police personnel were also seen making announcements urging people not to gather in crowd in the area with the imposition of prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS.
While Rabindra Nagar police station is located about 100 metres from the site of violence, locals alleged that police deployment was not adequate to contain a mob that comprised hundreds of people.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who held protests at West Bengal police headquarters Bhabani Bhawan over the incident, sought permission from the police to visit the violence affected area on Thursday. “I have approached the SP of Diamond Harbour Police District and DGP@WBPolice so that today, I along with one MLA can visit Maheshtala under Rabindranagar Police Station to meet and express solidarity with the victims ….” Mr. Adhikari wrote on X, expressing hope that the administration will not obstruct his visit.
BJP MLAs have threatened to stall proceedings of the West Bengal Assembly over the violence at Maheshtala.
Senior Trinamool Congress leader and State Minister Firhad Hakim assured strict punishment for those who were responsible for the attacks on police personnel.
Only a few weeks ago in April, the State had witnessed communal violence at Samserganj and Dhulian in Murshidabad district which claimed three lives and left hundreds homeless.
Published – June 12, 2025 11:07 am IST
