[Prophet Muhammad row] Call in central forces if State police unable to control situation: Calcutta High Court to West Bengal government

The Calcutta High Court on Monday said that the West Bengal government should call in central forces if the State Police is unable to contain the violence that has erupted in the State due to the recent row over the remarks made by BJP spokesperson against Prophet Muhammad. .A bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj also asked the State authorities to collect the video footage of incidents of violence so that the miscreants can be identified and appropriate action can be taken against them. "In case, the State Police is unable to control the situation at any place then State authorities will take immediate steps to call the central forces. Concerned State authorities will also collect the video footage of the incident so that the miscreants can be identified and appropriate action can be taken against them," the Court said.The Advocate General should also make the stand of State clear on the issue of grant of compensation to those who have suffered loss of property in the untoward incidents, the Court added..The Court was hearing a slew of petitions filed by different individuals seeking different reliefs. The plea filed by one Niladri Saha alleged that the police was standing as mute spectator while BJP party offices were being burnt. The plea therefore, sought deployment of military or central para-military forces to control the situation. In another petition, a prayer was made to recognise each and every person responsible for road blocking of National Highway at Howrah Ankurhati area on June 9, 2022 and to register FIR against the persons responsible and also to charge them with heavy penalty for causing destruction of public property. The petition by one Masum Ali Sardar, however, took a contrary stand and sought directions to allow peaceful processions. It also challenged the order passed by State authorities on June 10, 2022 under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. .Advocate General SN Mookherjee, appearing for the State of West Bengal, told the Court that the incident took place because of the unfortunate remarks made by two persons and that similar protests are going on in other States like Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telengana, Jharkhand etc.He also submitted that the protests were sudden and the State authorities were taken by surprise but they have registered 26 first information reports (FIRs) as on June 10 and arrested 240 persons and prohibitory orders have been passed and internet services suspended in Howrah and Beldanga, Rejinagar and Saktipur in Murshidabad District.The Advocate General sought adjournment to file a report in the form of affidavit indicating the current situation in the State as also the steps taken by the State authorities to control the situation.The Court while allowing the same, directed the State to take all possible steps to ensure that no untoward incident takes place and peace is maintained..[Read Order]