Life in the communal violence-hit areas of Basirhat sub-division in North 24 Parganas was on Thursday limping back to normalcy after remaining tense for the past three days with remaining open and educational institutions, banks and post office functioning as usual.
Transport services became normal with private and state-run buses, totos and van rickshaws plying in the urban and rural areas of Baduria, Berachampa and its neighbourhood. However, prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC in areas surrounding Baduria police station has not been lifted. The conservancy workers carried out sweeping and cleaning operations after three days.
The police and jawans of the para military forces conducted a route march in the area. Police and district administration, through public address system, urged people of both communities to maintain peace and not get swayed by rumours. Youth of both the communities held meetings in different areas requesting people to maintain communal harmony.
Shankar Mondol, a teacher of Baduria said the two communities had been living in the area for several generations. "Like every year we took part in Eid and visited the houses of my Muslim students. Similarly, they visit us during Durga Puja." Mondol went from one place to the other requesting people to maintain communal peace.
It may be mentioned that following the instruction of the Chief Minister, booth level Peace Committees are being set up in different areas comprising local youth, representatives of different NGOs, representatives of temple and masjid committees.
Life in Magurkhola, the epicentre of trouble that broke out in Baduria and its neighbourhood became normal on Thursday. Amirul, a local youth, took the major initiative in saving the life of the youth who had uploaded the Facebook post. He, along with his friends, went in the area requesting people to maintain calm. Mufti Mehdi, an assistant professor of Arabic, Aliah University along with his friends took the leading role in urging people to maintain communal harmony.
The Trinamool Congress leadership has summoned Basirhat MLA Diptendu Biswas to meet them at the party office on Friday. There are grievances against Biswas from the public.
Meanwhile, trouble broke out near Basirhat railway station when bombs were hurled. Police and paramilitary forces went to the spot and dispersed the mob. Police pickets have been posted in entire Basirhat sub-division to maintain peace.