The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has made a significant breakthrough in the case involving the attack on Hindus during the Ram Navami procession in Dalkhola, West Bengal. On 26th February, NIA announced the arrest of 16 individuals suspected of conspiring and carrying out the assault. The incident, which occurred on 30th March 2023, had sparked clashes between two communities in the region.
The arrested individuals, all residents of Dalkhola, have been identified as Afroj Alam, Ashraf, Imtiaz Alam, Irfan Alam, Kaiser, Farid Alam, Furkan Alam, Mohammad Pappu, Suleman, Sarjan, Nurul Hoda, Wasim Arya, Salahuddin, Jannath, Wasim Akram, and Tanweer Alam. The NIA’s action follows extensive investigations, including the analysis of video footage obtained during the course of the inquiry.
Background of the Incident: The attack on Hindus occurred during the Ram Navami procession in Dalkhola, which led to clashes between two communities. The Bengal Police initially registered a case against 162 individuals in connection with the incident. Subsequently, on 27th April 2023, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the cases to the NIA for further investigation. The agency took up six such cases related to attacks on Hindu processions.
On 31st March 2023, violence erupted during the Ram Navami procession in the Dalkhola area of Islampur town in North Dinajpur. The clashes resulted in one fatality and injuries to several policemen. The Bengal Police stated that the cause of the young man’s death was attributed to a heart attack. The incident marked one among the 29 instances of attacks on Hindu processions recorded in 2023.
The arrests made by the NIA shed light on the seriousness with which the authorities are addressing incidents of communal violence. With investigations ongoing, it is hoped that justice will be served and peace restored in the affected regions. The incident underscores the importance of fostering communal harmony and upholding the principles of tolerance and coexistence in society.
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