Kolkata, July 5: In a troubling wave of mob violence, West Bengal has seen four people killed and ten injured across twelve separate incidents over the past two weeks. This disturbing trend began on June 19, with victims primarily hailing from economically and socially marginalized communities.
Four individuals were brutally lynched after being falsely accused of theft:
- Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur (June 22): Sourabh Sau was attacked in Jamboni and succumbed to his injuries on June 30. His family maintains he was wrongly accused of attempting to steal parts from an earthmover.
- Darbashini, Pandua, Hooghly District (June 25): Biswajit Manna was beaten to death over allegations of stealing ₹50,000. Businessmen Bikash Samanta and his son Debkanta Samanta have been detained in connection with the incident.
- Bowbazar, Kolkata (June 26): Irshad Alam, a television repairman, was beaten with cricket bats and hockey sticks after being forced into a student hostel. He later died from his injuries.
- Polenite, Bidhannagar (June 27): Prasen, a 26-year-old man, was lynched overnight and died on the spot.
At least eight additional mob violence incidents occurred, with some victims being rescued by police. Notable cases include:
Prabhakarkati Village, Barasat (June 19): Nehra Banu, a 34-year-old Muslim woman, and her relative were attacked over false accusations of child-lifting while searching for a restaurant.
The West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, has arrested over 50 individuals and announced ₹2 lakh compensation for the families of those lynched. In a recent address, Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay criticized the delay in approving the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, 2019. The bill, which includes stringent measures against mob violence, has been pending the Governor’s approval.
“This bill should have received the assent of the Governor. Had the Governor given the assent to this bill, the instances of lynching would not have happened in Bengal,” Bandopadhyay stated.
The recent violence underscores the urgent need for effective legislative and administrative measures to combat such crimes. The delay in implementing the Prevention of Lynching Bill remains a contentious issue amidst these tragic events.
