Siliguri on High Alert Amid Communal Clashes; VHP Calls for June 2 Bandh

Agencies, Siliguri, June 1, 2025:  Tensions remain high in Siliguri’s Matigara area following violent clashes over the weekend that have deepened communal divides. In response to the violence, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has called for a 24-hour bandh (strike) across Siliguri on June 2, demanding justice for the victims and action against those responsible. The unrest began on Friday when a vehicle, allegedly carrying beef, was stopped and set on fire by a mob, sparking retaliatory violence that has led to the arrest of seven individuals in connection with the attacks on Hindu families.

The violence began early Friday morning when a group of Hindu men reportedly intercepted a vehicle coming from Naxalbari, allegedly carrying beef in several sacks. Eyewitnesses say the occupants were physically assaulted, and the vehicle was set on fire by the mob. The attack, which targeted a vehicle belonging to suspected beef transporters, triggered an escalation of violence in the area, with local Hindu outfits alleging the vehicle was a symbol of illegal beef trafficking.

Later, in an act of retaliation, shops owned by Hindu groups were vandalized by a large mob, reportedly consisting of Muslim individuals, who also physically assaulted men, women, and children in the area. Victims described the attackers as armed with swords, sticks, and knives. The situation escalated further on Saturday when a mob attacked the house of Amit Gupta, a local Bajrang Dal member who had been arrested the day before for his alleged involvement in the earlier incident.

Gupta’s arrest, along with two other Bajrang Dal associates, is believed to have fueled the retaliatory violence. Gupta’s house was set on fire, and several family members were injured during the attack. In response to this, Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, MLA Anandamoy Barman, and VHP West Bengal & Sikkim General Secretary Laxman Banshal visited Gupta’s house, demanding immediate action and the arrest of the perpetrators.

The VHP’s Laxman Banshal, who condemned the violence, called for the 24-hour bandh, arguing that Hindus in Bengal—especially in districts like Murshidabad, Malda, and now Siliguri—were feeling increasingly insecure. "The West Bengal government, under Mamata Banerjee, has turned a blind eye to the violence and is failing to protect Hindu families," Banshal said. "There are no legal cow slaughter points in the region, and Naxalbari has now become a hub for illegal cow slaughter," he added.

Bista, also a BJP national spokesperson, further raised alarms about the growing insecurity in the region. He accused a group of over 100 individuals, allegedly linked to a radical Islamist group, of specifically targeting Hindu families in Matigara. “Radical Islamists attacked Hindu homes, businesses, and even tried to behead young Hindu men. Women and children were physically assaulted, leaving them grievously injured," Bista claimed in a statement. He also accused the police of failing to act against the attackers while arresting Hindu youths for resisting the violence.

Bista's statement painted a grim picture of the situation, accusing the region of becoming a breeding ground for illicit activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, and fake currency circulation. "The authorities are turning a blind eye to these unlawful activities, despite widespread awareness among local residents and law enforcement,” he said.

The Darjeeling MP has urged the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to initiate an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the attacks in Tumbajote, Matigara, fearing it could be part of a larger, unchecked pattern of violence seen in districts like Murshidabad and Malda. He warned that any further unprovoked attacks would be met with a strong response from the people of Siliguri and nearby areas.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested seven individuals involved in the violence, and investigations are underway to determine the full scope of the attack. Deputy Commissioner of Police Biswa Chand Thakur confirmed that the incident stemmed from a dispute between two groups, and assured the public that all aspects of the incident are being thoroughly examined.

As tensions escalated, Saman Pathak, the CPI-M Darjeeling district secretary, took a vocal stance on the violence, adding further political fuel to the fire. Pathak criticized both the police and the VHP for failing to prevent the violence, suggesting that the authorities’ inaction allowed the situation to spiral out of control. “Had the police acted in time, they could have dealt with the miscreants firmly. Instead, they showed reluctance,” Pathak said, pointing to a failure of leadership.

He led a delegation from the Left Front to meet with Siliguri Police Commissioner C. Sudhakar, urging immediate intervention to restore peace and ensure the smooth functioning of the bandh. Pathak’s criticism also extended to the political narrative being pushed by the VHP, accusing them of inflaming communal tensions rather than working toward resolution.

Pathak's statements emphasized the need for timely action from law enforcement to avoid further outbreaks of violence and help restore calm to the region. He also accused the VHP of using the violence for political gain, further polarizing the situation and heightening communal tension.

His involvement added a layer of complexity to the already charged political climate in Siliguri, with the Left Front and VHP trading barbs over the handling of the unrest. The CPI-M leader’s call for stronger police intervention was met with resistance from VHP supporters, who argued that the police were not doing enough to protect Hindu families and businesses.

Amid the ongoing unrest, protests have erupted outside the Siliguri Police Station, with members of the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu groups demanding the release of those arrested and the arrest of those responsible for the violence. Some have also called for disciplinary action against a police officer accused of threatening protesters, a matter which has raised concerns about police impartiality.

Ranjan Sarkar, the Deputy Mayor of Siliguri, urged residents to remain calm, emphasizing that the state government does not support any bandh and that the situation was fueled by group conflicts and rumors. "The law will take its course, and we urge citizens not to be misled by the ongoing tensions," he said.

With the VHP’s call for a bandh scheduled for June 2, local authorities have been placed on high alert. Police are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further flare-ups as both political and religious groups demand action and accountability in the aftermath of the violence. The city is bracing for another tense day, with hopes for a peaceful resolution amid mounting communal tensions.