The DGP Rajeev Kumar’s visit to Malda on January 17, 2025 also comes after two consecutive instances of attacks on police personnel in adjoining Uttar Dinajpur and Murshidabad districts on January 15, 2025. File
| Photo Credit: ANI

Director General of West Bengal Police Rajeev Kumar on Friday (January 17, 2025) visited Malda district, where two instances of attacks on Trinamool Congress leaders took place earlier this month. 

During his visit, Mr. Kumar met district police officers. After his meeting, he said the district police are doing a good job investigating the two recent incidents in Malda and the investigations are progressing satisfactorily.

The DGP also met Chaitali Sarkar, wife of murdered Trinamool Congress leader Dulal Sarkar.

On January 14, 2025, a Trinamool Congress worker was shot dead and two other party supporters were grievously injured from bullet wounds at Malda’s Kaliachak area. The incident occurred in the morning during the inauguration ceremony of a road, in which Trinamool Congress local committee president Bakul Sheikh and other party workers were present. One person, who was a Trinamool Congress worker, was arrested in connection with this case.

Earlier, on January 2, Trinamool Congress councillor and vice-president of the party’s district unit in West Bengal’s Malda, Dulal Sarkar, was shot dead in broad daylight.

Trinamool Congress leader from Malda, Narendra Nath Tewari, was arrested on Wednesday (January 15, 2025) in connection with Sarkar’s murder and was accused by the police of hiring contract killers for ₹50 lakh along with ‘notorious local miscreant’ Swapan Sharma.

After Sarkar’s murder, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged that her fellow party leader died because of ‘negligence’ by the police, especially the Police Superintendent, and had specially instructed the DGP to look into the matter. 

The DGP’s visit to Malda on Friday (January 17, 2025) also comes after two consecutive instances of attacks on police personnel in adjoining Uttar Dinajpur and Murshidabad districts on Wednesday (January 15, 2025).

Mr. Kumar on Thursday (January 16, 2025) visited the ASI and constable who were hospitalised after being shot by an under-trial in Goalpokhar in Uttar Dinajpur district. Meanwhile, in Murshidabad’s Domkal area, an SI was attacked by locals during a police visit to the accused’s home.

Following multiple instances of attacks on political leaders as well as the police force, questions were raised on the efficacy of the police and the law and order situation in the State. 

In a statement to the media on Thursday (January 16, 2025), Mr. Kumar warned of ‘retaliation’ in case of attacks on the police force. His comment drew different reactions, with Bharatiya Janata Party leader Jagannath Chattopadhyay saying, ‘Let police act instead of making bold statements.’