The newly formed West Bengal government has decided to initiate strict legal action over the widespread incidents of vandalism and arson that took place across the state during the 2019 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday has ordered a fresh and comprehensive investigation into all such cases.
The Chief Minister directed acting Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta to take necessary steps to reopen and probe all incidents of violence linked to the anti-CAA unrest.
According to administrative sources, a dedicated special cell will be set up within the state police to carry out an in-depth investigation into complaints related to the destruction of government property during that period. The headquarters of this special unit is expected to be established in Bhabanipur, the Assembly constituency represented by the Chief Minister.
As part of the renewed investigation process, all previously filed complaints will be re-examined, and fresh legal cases will be prepared against those found involved. The government has also decided to seek active cooperation from the Government Railway Police (GRP) to probe incidents involving the burning of trains and looting of railway property.
In a significant move, the Chief Minister has emphasised that individuals found guilty of vandalism or arson will be held financially accountable. The government plans to recover the full cost of damages to public property from the accused through legal means.
The Citizenship Amendment Bill, which became law in December 2019 after receiving Presidential assent, had triggered widespread protests across the country. West Bengal witnessed some of the most intense unrest, with allegations of buses being torched and large-scale damage to railway infrastructure reported from several districts.
Administrative sources indicate that the worst-affected areas included Murshidabad and Uluberia in Howrah district. In Murshidabad, extensive vandalism and arson were reported at the Beldanga police station. In Uluberia, a train was set on fire, and the railway station was allegedly looted.
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