Murshidabad remained on high alert on Saturday as suspended Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir moved ahead with his plan to lay the foundation stone for a mosque he has described as being “Babri Masjid-style.” The event, scheduled for noon in Beldanga, coincides with the anniversary of the Babri Masjid demolition, adding political sensitivity to the situation.
Speaking to ANI ahead of the ceremony, Kabir said, “All is well. Wait until 12 noon; the reading of the Quran will begin then. After that, the foundation stone will be laid. I am receiving full cooperation from the administration. Murshidabad Police and State Police are supporting me, and I thank them.”
Security has been significantly tightened around the Beldanga site, where Kabir has claimed an estimated three lakh people may gather. According to PTI, the area has been turned into a high-security zone, with the Rapid Action Force (RAF), district police, and central forces deployed along both sides of National Highway 12.
The heightened security arrangements follow a Calcutta High Court order on Friday allowing the event to proceed while holding the state government fully accountable for maintaining law and order.
Kabir’s plan to build a mosque “modelled on the Babri Masjid” has sparked unease, with the timing of the ceremony amplifying political messaging and public reactions across the region.
