NAJIR HOSAIN, a migrant worker, had returned to his home in Barrackpore in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district for the Eid holidays last month. As always, he was supposed to fleetingly enjoy the comforts of home and family before leaving again in search of livelihood. This time, however, joy turned into trauma.
Multiple mob attacks, leading to at least eight deaths, have come to the fore from across West Bengal in June and July. Social media has been abuzz with unsubstantiated stories about child abduction, theft and extra-marital affairs.
The prevalent mob mentality in the state grows from its inherent spirit of collective action. Incidents such as beating women during witch-hunts or subjecting individuals to violence based on suspicion of theft―tying them to trees or light posts―have been disturbingly common. The massacre of 17 Ananda Margis, members of the socio-spiritual organisation, in Kolkata’s Ballygunge in April 1982 continues to haunt the state.
The advent of social media and the rise of local strongmen in politics have made the situation worse in recent times. Misinformation now spreads like wildfire and instant justice is a means to wield influence.
In January, three sadhus heading to Gangasagar Mela were subjected to mob assault on suspicion of being kidnappers. As per the police in Purulia, language barrier caused a misunderstanding when they asked something to three minor girls. The girls reportedly screamed and ran away, prompting locals to manhandle the sadhus.
Najir, too, got caught in the cross-hairs of a mob. “On my way home on June 21, some children came crashing at me,” he said. “I picked up one of them and before I could understand what was going on I was hit on the back of my head.” He had been perceived as a child thief by some youth.
Najir tried to convince his attackers that they had misunderstood, but mob mentality rendered logic utterly futile. “I identified some of them and told them that I lived in neighbouring Ruiya,” he said. “But they kept calling me baccha chor (child thief) and beat me senseless.”
Nehra Banu, a 34-year-old woman with mental health issues, was also subjected to mob attack on the suspicion of child abduction. “I had gone with my brother-in-law to meet a maulvi for my issues,” she said. “On our way home, we were looking for an eatery at Kazipara [in North 24 Parganas’ Barasat] when a mob attacked us.”
Some women who were with their children suspected Banu, a resident of Barasat’s Amdanga, and her relative to be kidnappers. The group confronted them before local men arrived at the scene with wooden sticks and an iron wrench. “I told them I am also a mother and if they think I am a criminal, they must take me to the police and call my family for my background check,” she said. “But they did not listen.”
The police officers who arrived at the scene were also subjected to violence before they could rescue Banu. She has a head injury and fractures in her spine and waist. Visible scars mar her face. Her father, Ansar Ali, 57, said that she bears similar scars and blood clots all over her body.
Najir, currently staying with his in-laws because they are supporting him financially through his treatment, has been advised to remain bedridden for at least three months. He cannot sit straight for more than a few minutes. His ribs bore the brunt of the attack and he has internal blood clots all over his body. “His treatment took all our savings,” said wife Lilufa Bibi, while their eight-year-old son Tajimur plays by his father’s bed side in the humble setting of Najir’s in-laws. “We do not know how we will now manage financially.”
Six suspects were arrested in the case before all of them were released on bail. Sub Inspector Rajib Barma, the investigating officer, told THE WEEK that the probe was ongoing. “We may have to arrest more people,” he said. “We are also looking at whether there were any angles to the attack other than the rumour of child abduction.” In Banu’s case, 26 arrests were made based on two FIRs, one of them related to the attack on police officers.
Meanwhile, in some instances of mob attacks, names of local Trinamool Congress leaders have also been associated. In Uttar Dinajpur’s Chopra, a couple was publicly flogged by a man named Tajimul Islam, also known as “JCB” and considered a close aide of Trinamool MLA Hamidur Rahman.
A mother and son fell victim to an alleged attack orchestrated by a group led by local Trinamool strongman Jayant Singh, alias “Giant Singh”, in Kamarhati in northern Kolkata. Jayant, allegedly, intervened during an altercation between two youth. His aides then hurled Sayandeep Panja and his mother, Bubun, on to the street and mercilessly beat them with hockey sticks and bricks. Meanwhile, old videos of Jayant and his aides beating people in Kamarhati have emerged. Jayant is currently in police custody along with eight other suspects; seven of them arrested in relation to the old videos.
The opposition has questioned the law and order situation, accusing the ruling party of sheltering hooligans and criminals. BJP spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya told THE WEEK that there was a complete breakdown of law and order in the state. “People do not trust the administration anymore,” he said. “They are thus taking it upon themselves to deliver justice. The constitutional machinery has fallen. The custodians of the Indian Constitution must intervene now.”
Saugata Roy, veteran Trinamool MP from Dum Dum, which includes the Kamarahati assembly segment, has said that he was threatened with death, via a phone call, if he did not ensure Jayant’s release. But, denied that there had been a breakdown of law and order. “Nothing happened on large scale,” he told THE WEEK. “The police are working diligently. The mother and son were attacked by goons who have nothing to do with the party.” Regarding the threat call that he received, he said that the police had informed him that the call was made from Bengaluru. “Investigation is on to trace the caller,” he said.
The West Bengal Police have issued a circular instructing the use of civic volunteers and rural police to gather inputs for prompt action. The police are also considering bringing in local Durga Puja committees, clubs and madrassas to address the issue of mob attacks and sensitising people against vigilantism. Kolkata Police, meanwhile, have asked stations within its jurisdiction to hold meetings with the local population, including eminent personalities from the region.
Meanwhile, a bill stuck in dispute between the state government and the governor has taken centre stage. The assembly passed the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill in August 2019. The bill, also supported by the left front and Congress MLAs, was not signed by then governor Jagdeep Dhankhar. Speaker Biman Banerjee said the governor did not send the bill back to the assembly, as per constitutional norms.
The Raj Bhavan said clarifications were sought from the state government after the left front and the Congress had informed the governor that the passed bill had death penalty as the maximum punishment in lynching cases, unlike the draft. Banerjee refuted the claim. “Bidhan Sabha did not get anything from the governor,” he told THE WEEK. “He could have sent the bill back to the assembly mentioning the points that he thought needed to be looked at. We could have discussed them again.”
The bill, however, is hardly an excuse. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita introduced specific provisions for mob lynching, including the possibility of death penalty. But, in cases related to alleged mob attacks registered by the police in West Bengal since July 1, sections addressing mob lynching have not been imposed.
For example, 50-year-old Azhar Molla was beaten to death, allegedly by a mob on suspicion of theft, in South 24 Parganas district’s Bhangar. The police do not view this as a mob attack. “We have arrested three people,” said officer Susanta Mondal. “Investigation is going on and there may be more arrests. But we do not see this as a lynching case.”