Synopsis
In light of reports suggesting the involvement of illegal Bangladeshi intruders in the violence at Murshidabad, intelligence agencies are focused on identifying the specific extremist groups from Bangladesh that may have been involved.Key Takeaways
- Union Home Ministry receives alerts about potential Bangladeshi involvement.
- Investigation centers on three major fundamentalist groups.
- ABT's geographical proximity increases its likelihood of involvement.
- Recent unrest prompts CAPF deployment in the area.
- Calcutta High Court criticizes initial government response.
Kolkata, April 15 (NationPress) Following the initial reports received by the Union Home Ministry regarding the involvement of illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in the violence at Murshidabad, intelligence agencies are actively working to identify the specific Bangladesh-based fundamentalist groups that may have contributed to this unrest.
Sources familiar with the situation indicate that three fundamentalist organizations from Bangladesh are under scrutiny as they have shown considerable activity in this border district adjacent to Bangladesh.
The groups in question include Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Hizb-ut-Tahrir (HUT), and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT).
Given the geographical context of the areas most affected by the recent unrest, particularly Samserganj, the likelihood of ABT's involvement in the violence appears more plausible.
Directly across the international border from Samserganj and Dhulian lies the Bangladeshi district of Chapai-Nawabganj, recognized as a stronghold for ABT. Due to this proximity, sources believe that ABT’s role in the recent events in Murshidabad is highly probable.
Notably, in December of the previous year, Sajidul Islam, a key ABT operative, was apprehended in Murshidabad during coordinated efforts involving the special task force of West Bengal Police and Assam Police.
Islam is related to another prominent ABT fugitive, Shad Radi aka Shab Sheikh, who was previously captured in Kerala. Intelligence reports have indicated ABT's attempts to gain a foothold in two West Bengal districts, Murshidabad and the neighboring Nadia, both of which share porous borders with Bangladesh.
Currently, the Union Home Ministry is reviewing the situation in Murshidabad, which has been gradually returning to normal since Tuesday, based on information from central intelligence and senior officials of the central armed police forces in the area.
The Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were dispatched to Murshidabad following an order from a special division bench of the Calcutta High Court on April 12. The bench noted that the initial measures taken by the West Bengal government to mitigate communal tensions related to protests against the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act were insufficient.
It was remarked that had the CAPF been deployed sooner, the situation may not have escalated to such a “grave” and “volatile” state.
