A recent spate of violence in West Bengal has resulted in the deaths of four individuals and injuries to ten others in 12 separate mob attacks over the past two weeks. This alarming rise in violence began on June 19 and has predominantly targeted individuals from economically and socially marginalized groups.
Lynching Incidents
In a series of brutal attacks, four individuals were lynched after being labeled as thieves by mobs. The families of the victims have vehemently denied these accusations, asserting that their loved ones were innocent and had fallen prey to baseless rumors.
1. Jhargram, Paschim Medinipur. On June 22, two young men were assaulted by a mob in Jamboni. One of them, Sourabh Sau, succumbed to his injuries on June 30. His family claims he was wrongly accused of attempting to steal parts from an earthmover.
2. Darbashini, Pandua, Hooghly District: On June 25, Biswajit Manna was beaten to death by locals who suspected him of stealing ₹50,000. Two businessmen, Bikash Samanta and his son Debkanta Samanta, have been detained in connection with his death.
3. Bowbazar, Kolkata: On June 26, Irshad Alam, a television repairman, was forced into a student hostel and beaten with cricket bats and hockey sticks. He later died from his injuries.
4. Polenite, Bidhannagar: On June 27, Prasen, a 26-year-old man, was lynched throughout the night and died on the spot.
Mob Violence Incidents
In addition to the lynchings, there have been at least eight other incidents of mob violence during this period. Some victims were rescued by police, while others sustained serious injuries.
Prabhakarkati Village, Barasat: On June 19, Nehra Banu, a 34-year-old Muslim woman, was attacked along with a female relative. They were falsely accused of being child-lifters while searching for a restaurant. Banu recounted her ordeal, saying, “I told them I am a mother of two children. But they didn’t listen… They used sticks and an iron wrench to beat me up.”
Government Response and Legislative Challenges
The West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, has arrested over 50 individuals in connection with these incidents and announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those lynched.
In a recent address to the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay criticized the delay in approving the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, 2019. The bill, which was passed by the assembly, has been pending approval from the Governor. Bandopadhyay argued that the enactment of this bill could have prevented such occurrences by introducing stringent measures against mob violence, including the death penalty for fatal lynchings and the appointment of nodal officers to oversee the prevention efforts.
“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,” he stated.
The recent incidents of mob violence and lynchings in West Bengal highlight the urgent need for effective legislative and administrative measures to curb such crimes. The delay in the implementation of the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill, 2019, continues to be a significant point of contention amidst these tragic events.