Mob Attacks Police in Malda Over Kangaroo Court Dispute

A violent confrontation in West Bengal’s Malda district left five police officers injured when a mob attacked them with sticks and stones during an attempt to rescue a man from an unauthorized kangaroo court in Harishchandrapur. The incident, sparked by allegations of harassment, also saw police vehicles damaged, highlighting tensions over local vigilante justice. 

The conflict began when a woman, grazing cattle in a field, was allegedly harassed by a local man who forced his phone number on her. After she discarded it and returned home, the man followed her, prompting her brother-in-law to confront him. Deeming the man guilty, the family convened a “people’s court” to decide his punishment, reportedly organized by local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Ziaul Haque. Such kangaroo courts, known as ‘salishi sabhas’ in the region, are illegal gatherings that often bypass formal judicial processes, a recurring issue in West Bengal, with similar incidents reported in Malda and elsewhere.

Acting on a tip, police arrived to free the accused man but were quickly surrounded by an angry mob. “The crowd, allegedly incited by Ziaul Haque, attacked us with bamboo sticks and stones,” a police official recounted. Visuals circulating on social media show officers being beaten and vehicles vandalized. Among the injured were two senior officers, with three others sustaining minor wounds; all are stable and receiving treatment at a local hospital.

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Abdur Rahim Bakshi, TMC’s Malda district president, distanced the party from the violence, condemning the attack and promising justice. “The main accused in the harassment case and those who assaulted the police will face strict action,” he stated. Police have arrested five individuals for the assault and detained the primary suspect in the harassment case.

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of mob violence linked to kangaroo courts in West Bengal. Recent cases include a brutal assault on a couple in Kaliachak, Malda, and a family attacked in Simla village for skipping a similar meeting. The state government has faced criticism for failing to curb these illegal assemblies, with opposition leaders alleging political patronage. Authorities have since increased patrols in Harishchandrapur to prevent further unrest, as investigations continue to identify additional perpetrators.

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