Convey stand on NIA probe into Basirhat riots: HC to Centre

Besides directing the state government to file an affidavit stating the steps taken to combat the situation in Basirhat, the Calcutta high court on Wednesday ordered the Centre to clear its position on a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the recent incidents of violence in Basirhat sub-division and its adjoining areas in North 24 Parganas.

The division Bench of the acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice T Chakraborty directed the Centre's counsel to clear its stand on July 21.

The court has also directed the state government to file an affidavit stating the measures taken to bring the situation at Baduria and Basirhat under control. The affidavit also has to be submitted before the court on July 21. The next hearing in connection with two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) on the violence in Basirhat will be on July 21. It may be mentioned that there was a plea before the court seeking NIA probe into the Basirhat incident.

Kaushik Chanda, Additional Solicitor General, submitted before the court that he would take necessary steps to let the court know the stand of the Centre in this connection. Kishore Dutta, Advocate General of the state, submitted that the situation in Basirhat and its adjoining areas have become normal. Around 66 people were arrested and there were a total of 32 cases which have been registered with the police in this connection.