West Bengal STF arrested two main accused and detained some suspects in Jharsuguda, Odisha
Bhubaneswar: West Bengal Police’s Task Force (STF) arrived in Jharsuguda, Odisha on Monday in a recent investigation into recent community violence in West Bengal in West Bengal.
Sources said the team began interrogating 14 people at the Banharpali police station, which was related to the riots that broke out earlier this month.
Of the 14 people questioned, two – Bari Israel and Saifi-ul Haq – were arrested after establishing a superficial connection to public violence.
According to police inspector general Himanshu Lal, “STF is linked to the double murder of Hargovind Das and Chandan Das and arrested the defendant. The pistol and some live bullets were caught from it.”
The detained suspect is believed to play an active role in the violence, with reports showing many fleeing to Odisha to avoid arrest. In protest against the controversial WAQF (Amendment), in 2025, unrest in Murhidabad broke out in early April 2025.
The demonstrations that began as peaceful quickly escalated into violent conflict, especially in areas such as Janjipur and Umapur. Protesters blocked the national highway, set up police cars at Nimtita Railway Station and destroyed train services.
STF’s operations at Jharsuguda are part of a wider crackdown aimed at tracing those who may abscond after the riot. Investigators are currently questioning the detainees to gather intelligence on the attack plan and implementation and identify other suspects.
The violence triggered a series of political reactions. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed that the unrest was premeditated and alleged that external forces, including the Border Security Force (BSF) and certain political parties, played a role in inciting conflict.
To counter the violence, West Bengal police formed a special investigation team (SIT) of nine members to lead the investigation. SIT has been arrested several times, including Ziaul Sheikh, the key in a charged murder case, who was arrested in the Uttar Dinajpur area of the north.
