Murshidabad violence: NCW chairperson, probe panel to reach West Bengal today, to visit riot-affected areas

National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and the inquiry committee formed by the Commission to probe violence meted out against women during the protests against the Waqf Amendment Act in West Bengal will reach the state today. The committee will visit Murshidabad and other violence-affected areas on Friday.

 

The Commission took suo motu cognisance of violence against women during the violence in which three persons got killed and several suffered injuries. The chairperson and probe panel will visit the affected areas to assess the situation and will meet with victims. 

 

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commission said, “Honourable Chairperson of the NCW, Vijaya Rahatkar, has taken suo motu cognizance of a deeply disturbing report from Murshidabad, West Bengal, where several women were reportedly molested amid communal violence, triggering the exodus of hundreds of women. The Chairperson has also constituted an Inquiry Committee to investigate the incident. She will personally visit the violence-hit areas and meet with survivors to assess the situation.” 

 

“The probe panel will proceed to Malda on April 18 to meet survivors and local officials, and visit the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad on April 19, including Shamsherganj and Jaffarabad,” it said. The committee will ensure a thorough probe and recommend steps to prevent such atrocities in the future, the NCW chairperson said. The committee will meet authorities from district administration to understand law and order measures taken in the region.

 

Violence erupted in various areas of Murshidabad during the protests against the amended Waqf Act on April 11 and 12. Allegedly, in the Mandirpara area of Dhulian, numerous women were molested during the violence. 

India