Maheshtala violence: 40 arrested, situation under control.
In connection with the recent clashes in Maheshtala, West Bengal, authorities have intensified their crackdown on those involved in the violence. A total of 40 individuals have been arrested so far. Out of these, 28 people were taken into custody by the West Bengal Police, while the Kolkata Police arrested 12. The violent incident, which erupted on Wednesday, caused tension in the area, prompting a swift response from law enforcement agencies to restore order.
According to official statements, seven FIRs have been registered so far, and further investigation is underway to identify additional individuals involved in instigating or participating in the violence. Police officials stated that raids are ongoing in several locations to trace others who may have played a role in the unrest.
Additional forces have been deployed in sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation, and senior officers are monitoring the situation closely. The administration has urged the public to maintain calm and cooperate with the police as they continue efforts to ensure safety and uphold the rule of law in the affected locality.
Maheshtala Clashes: 40 Arrested by Police; Situation Under Control, Say Officials
Maheshtala, West Bengal – June 12, 2025:
Violence erupted in Maheshtala on Wednesday (June 11, 2025), prompting a major crackdown by law enforcement agencies. As many as 40 people were arrested by Kolkata Police and West Bengal Police during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday in connection with the violent clashes that left several police personnel injured and the local administration scrambling to restore order.
According to officials, clashes initially broke out in Ward Number 7 of Maheshtala over the setting up of a local shop. What began as a seemingly routine dispute between a few locals escalated into a major law and order situation. Eyewitnesses reported that the matter took a communal turn when some individuals alleged that a place of worship had been attacked, triggering outrage among the residents and inciting groups to retaliate.
Stones were pelted at the police who had arrived on the scene to manage the crowd and restore peace. The aggression toward the police escalated rapidly, and visuals from the ground reportedly showed a chaotic situation with law enforcement struggling to contain the swelling mobs.
Responding to the unrest, a combined force of West Bengal Police and Kolkata Police was deployed to the site. He also confirmed that four officers from the force were injured during the stone-pelting incident.
Simultaneously, Kolkata Police officials reported the arrest of 12 more people in connection with the clashes. A senior Kolkata Police officer revealed that about a dozen of their personnel, including a Deputy Commissioner, were injured during the operation to quell the violence. Some of the injured officials have been admitted to local hospitals and are receiving treatment for their injuries.
The administration, taking swift action to prevent further escalation, imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code in the affected areas, thereby restricting gatherings and movement of groups. A heavy police presence remains in place, with additional forces being deployed overnight to ensure law and order is maintained.
Seven First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered so far in connection with the incident. Of these, four have been lodged at Nadial Police Station, which falls under the jurisdiction of Kolkata Police. These FIRs cover a wide range of charges including rioting, unlawful assembly, attempt to murder, and assault on public servants during the discharge of their duties.
While the Rabindra Nagar Police Station is located merely 100 meters away from the epicenter of the clashes, many locals alleged that the initial police deployment was inadequate and poorly timed. According to residents, the mob that eventually took to the streets numbered in the hundreds, easily overwhelming the small contingent of police on duty. “Had the police responded faster and in greater strength, the situation could have been prevented from escalating,” said a local shopkeeper who witnessed the events unfold.
Authorities are now closely monitoring the situation to ensure there is no recurrence of violence. Senior police officers have been stationed in the area, and surveillance has been heightened with the use of drones and additional CCTV monitoring. Patrol units have been increased in nearby localities to prevent the spread of unrest.
Sources within the administration said that the state intelligence unit is also investigating the possibility of the violence being pre-planned or incited through social media platforms. Officials have not ruled out the role of political elements or vested interests trying to inflame communal sentiments for ulterior motives. Internet services were briefly suspended in parts of Maheshtala to prevent the spread of rumors and inflammatory content.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been briefed on the situation, has reportedly asked the police to ensure the safety of all communities and act firmly against those found guilty. A senior official from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said, “The government will not tolerate any attempt to disturb the communal harmony of the state.
Local civic bodies, too, have appealed for calm and urged residents not to fall for misinformation. Peace committee meetings are being planned in the locality involving community leaders, religious heads, and local influencers to ensure communal harmony is maintained and misunderstandings are addressed.
As investigations continue and arrests are likely to rise in the coming days, Maheshtala remains under tight security. Schools in the immediate vicinity have been closed as a precautionary measure, and shopkeepers have been advised to operate during restricted hours until the situation normalizes completely.
While calm has returned to the streets of Maheshtala for now, the scars of Wednesday’s violence remain fresh in the minds of both residents and the police personnel who bore the brunt of the clashes. The coming days will be crucial for the administration in ensuring peace and preventing any possible flare-up.