Central forces will continue to remain deployed in the violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district, Calcutta High Court ordered on Thursday.

The court asked both the central and state governments to consider setting up a permanent BSF camp in the Samserganj and Dhulian areas to ensure the security of people affected by the recent communal tension, which claimed at least three lives and destroyed the livelihoods of hundreds last month.

The division bench of Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury — constituted urgently by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam on April 12, a weekly court holiday — took up the case based on a petition from the leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.

However, after issuing Thursday’s order, the bench released the case from their jurisdiction and referred it to the Chief Justice for reassignment to another division bench.

The hearing of the case has been postponed until July 30.

Adhikari had approached the high court, seeking an urgent hearing on his plea for the deployment of central forces in the “disturbed areas” to protect the lives and property of the people. On April 12, the same division bench had ordered the deployment of central forces in the trouble-hit areas of Samserganj and Dhulian.

Residents of Samserganj, especially those affected by the communal violence on April 11 and 12, have been demanding a permanent BSF camp to maintain law and order and prevent further violence.

Following a visit by chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the state government set up a police camp in the affected area.

Residents of Samserganj welcomed the court’s directive to the governments regarding the establishment of a permanent BSF camp.

"We are not satisfied with the state police camp in our village. We don't trust the state police. We welcome the court’s directive and urge both governments to arrange for a permanent BSF camp here," said Bapi Ghosh, a resident of Betbona village, one of the worst-affected areas in the April violence.

On Thursday, the Special Investigating Team (SIT) probing the Murshidabad violence submitted a report in a sealed cover to the division bench.

Representing the state, senior advocate Kalyan Bandyopadhyay claimed that the situation in the affected areas had normalised and that residents had regained confidence in the administration following a recent visit by the chief minister.

"The state has already provided compensation to families who lost their properties," Bandyopadhyay said. "Members of 82 families have already returned to their residences."

A report was also filed on behalf of the central government. The central government’s lawyer emphasised the continued need for central forces in the disturbed areas.

Representing Suvendu Adhikari, advocate Billwadal Bhattacharya claimed that the people in the affected areas remained tense. “The state administration should take steps to restore the confidence of residents,” he said.

A heated exchange occurred between Bhattacharya and Bandyopadhyay during the hearing.

Advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, appearing for some residents, claimed that students staying in relief camps were facing difficulties.

Bandyopadhyay strongly rejected her claims, alleging that some individuals were attempting to gain the trust of Hindus for political reasons. "But ours is a secular country," he said.

Bandyopadhyay added: “During her recent visit, the chief minister announced that the state government would assist in building one lakh houses in the affected areas.”

Justice Soumen Sen remarked: “The state intelligence should have had prior information about the incident. The state must take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in the future.”

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the court's directions and said the verdict endorsed the demand of the local people who don't have any trust in the state police.

"I thank the honourable Calcutta High Court division bench for the continuation of the deployment of central forces in that area. It also asked both governments to consider any possibility of setting up a permanent BSF camp according to the demand of the local people," said Adhikari.

"The court has also transferred the case filed by the family members of Haragobinda Das and Chandan Das (father and son) for a CBI probe into their murder during the violence to the Chief Justice," he added.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh declined to comment on the matter, stating that it was sub-judice.