The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken over the investigation into the violent incidents that rocked Beldanga in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, following the death of a migrant labourer. The violence had led to major tension in the area, with incidents of road blockades and attacks being reported during the agitation. In the matter, the court observed that it will be open to the Central government to take an appropriate decision regarding the conduct of the investigation by invoking sub-section (5) of Section 6 of the NIA Act. With the NIA now handling the case, the probe into the circumstances surrounding the violence and the alleged larger conspiracy behind it will be carried out by the central anti-terror agency.

Beldanga witnessed large-scale violence for two consecutive days as a section of local residents blocked roads, set tyres on fire and disrupted normal life, while two journalists on duty were assaulted during the unrest, police said. The violence first erupted on January 16, when protesters blocked key roads for several hours and lit burning tyres, causing major traffic disruption. The blockade continued throughout the day, during which a woman journalist covering the agitation was attacked, triggering widespread condemnation. The situation remained tense the next day, with fresh protests on January 17 leading to renewed clashes and disruption. During the second day of agitation, another journalist was assaulted, further escalating concerns over the safety of media persons reporting from the ground. Although the agitation was initially projected as a protest over the death of a migrant worker, police said the subsequent investigation pointed towards a more serious and organised provocation behind the violence.