The West Bengal Police have decided to launch an internal investigation into allegations of lapses and delayed response during the recent violence in Murshidabad’s Shamsherganj. Officials have stated that a full-fledged probe will begin once the situation in the area returns to normal.

Despite repeated calls for help from residents, police reportedly failed to respond in time.

In a preliminary administrative shake-up, the officers-in-charge (OCs) of Shamsherganj and Suti police stations have been removed from their posts and two Inspectors-in-Charge (ICs) have been appointed in their positions. “Further changes in the local police hierarchy will be made as part of the action against the alleged delay,” said a senior police officer.

Tensions remain high in Shamsherganj following a wave of violence that left several villages in ruins and three people dead. While calm is gradually being restored with the deployment of central forces, serious questions are being raised about the role—and delay—of the police during the attacks. It was alleged that negligence and failure to act in time triggered the attack on a particular community of people.

According to multiple accounts from residents, the violence on April 12 unfolded over several hours without any police intervention. Villagers claim they began calling the police as early as 9 a.m., reporting attacks, arson and looting across at least five villages. However, they allege that their cries for help went unheeded for hours. By the time the police arrived—allegedly four hours after the initial calls—dozens of homes had been ransacked and set ablaze.

“Our initial findings show that a large police contingent was stationed just one-and-a-half kilometers away from the violence-hit villages,” said the officer, adding, “The investigation will focus on why it took them so long to respond and reach the affected areas.”

In Jafrabad, the brutality reached its peak. A father and son were killed by a mob. While the father died at the scene, residents believe the son could have survived had he received timely medical assistance. An initial autopsy report confirmed that the young man died from excessive bleeding—fueling claims that a delay in police response cost him his life.

Central forces present, but no action

Adding to the controversy is the fact that three companies of central paramilitary forces were reportedly stationed in Shamsherganj at the time of the attacks. A large police force, including senior officers, was also present in the area. Yet, they failed to intervene until the violence had run its course.

A section of the police has suggested that they were unaware of the ongoing attacks because the local police failed to relay the information in time. This has led to further criticism, with villagers questioning why local officers, even after receiving multiple distress calls, delayed reporting the violence and did not mobilise immediately.

Was It a Planned Attack?

Several officers have expressed concern over the apparent planning behind the violence. Bombings and killings across multiple villages suggest a level of coordination that, they argue, should have been detected by the police intelligence network. The failure of the intelligence department to foresee or intercept the threat has become a major point of contention.

The unrest first began on April 8 in areas like Suti, Dhulian, and Shamsherganj over opposition to the amended Waqf Act and escalated dramatically by April 11. Although a temporary calm was restored with the presence of central forces, fresh violence erupted the very next morning—raising questions about both preparedness and intent.

As the state police face increasing scrutiny, villagers continue to demand justice and accountability, not just for the violence that took place, but for what they see as a complete breakdown in the duty of law enforcement.