Hindus in Deganga fear a new onslaught

While Bengal is gaga of Lok Sabha Election, 2014 and candidates refuse to lose a single opportunity to pick antagonists, Hindus in Deganga in the district of 24 Paraganas (North) are having vicious experiences and if locals are reckoned, such an ominous atmosphere sprang prior to the Hindu persecution in 2010. The intensity of onslaught in September, 2010 was such that security agencies including State Police along with Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Rapid Action Force (RAF), Border Security Force (BSF) failed to quell the Hindu persecution led by Islamists. And had not the Indian Army been deployed, it would have been impossible to thwart racial extermination of Hindus at that time. What’s happening now?

On April 7, 2014, at 8 am, Ranjit Dey (age 30) living in Kalapole within the jurisdiction of police station of Deganga was proceeding to the Badar bus stand in his own motor van. While moving to the bus stand, he had a brief altercation with Noor Islam, living in the vicinity, on petty issues. However, it ended soon and Ranjit, following his job, returned to his residence. But Noor Islam declined to forget the wrangle and to avenge it, he raided Ranjit’s residence at 2.30 pm. Noor was not alone; 20 Muslims in seven motorbikes and with lethal weapons accompanied him. His house was ransacked and two women of his household namely Swati Dey and Shibani Dey were both manhandled and molested. Nonetheless, as per locals, both women were raped by the group. Local Hindus rushed to the spot, once Ranjit raised an alarm and also seized 3 Islamists along with 3 bikes. They also phoned the Deganga police station to rein in the situation but before policemen turned up, a team of local Trinamool Congress appeared there and assuring Hindus of justice, freed the 3 Islamists. Police tuned up later on and seized the 3 motorbikes only. It has been learnt, the TMC team had assured of rendering compensation to the harmed Hindu family but there has been no such development yet. The Hindu family, at the moment, is groping in darkness and also for ways to have the desired justice.   

On April 6, Abdul Mannan, inhabiting the village of Bhasliya within Deganga police station’s jurisdiction  wounded family members of his neighbor Rabin Sadhukhan savagely. It has come to knowledge, Abdul, these days, possess a land of 15 bighas that belonged to a Hindu individual named Naren Mallik a few years back. Following the wave of anti-Hindu riots in 2010, Naren Mallik decided to abandon Deganga and move elsewhere. With this end in view, he sold his vast land worth 15 bighas including a residence, Hindu temple and a tract of barren land to Abdul Mannan at an abysmally low rate. Now, on the fateful day, Abdul Mannan stole a drumstick tree from the kitchen garden in Rabin’s residence. He was caught red-handed and the act was also resented by both Rabin’s mother and wife. The resentment enraged Abdul and within minutes, he attacked both Hindu women and ended through lopping off the elderly woman’s left hand by a chopper. Hearing his wife’s desperate call for help, Rabin rushed to his house. Then, Abdul attacked him also and Rabin suffered a heavy injury on his head. Soon, local Hindus grabbed Abdul Mannan and thrashed him heavily. Later on, he was handed over to the local police station. An FIR (First Information Report) – No. 194 dated April 6, 2014 was also filed against him. But, at the moment, Abdul is missing. It is not known yet whether police contrived his escape.

On April 7 and 8, an Islamic Jalsa (soiree) took place before the Radha Krishna temple at the Deganga market where all speakers were witnessed to vent diatribes against Hindus. All these developments, it is reported, are scaring Hindus a lot and they are apprehending the worst now.

Hindu Samhati regularly monitors and reports violations against Hindus in West Bengal. We also work with both governmental and NGO agencies for proper education on protection and ensure remedies to the Hindu populace as per prevailing law of the land.