Fact-finding Report: Indus, Bankura: Attack on CJP activist and Murder of his father

Published by Paschim Banga Khet Majur Samity (PBKMS)

[Murder of Sheikh Muhammad Mafik, father of a CJP activist who took part in the Jantar Mantar protest and documentation work of primary level status of the West Bengal schools]

News: The father of a CJP activist has passed away following an alleged attack by BJP members in Bankura, Bengal; eight individuals have been apprehended.

A 51-year-old man, Sheikh Muhammad Mafik reportedly died from injuries sustained during an assault in West Bengal on August 15, while attempting to defend his son, a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) activist. His son, Sekh Abdul Hafeez, had just returned to their village in Bankura after taking part in a CJP protest in Delhi and had started to document the poor state of the local government primary school.

Fact-finding

On 17 August, 2026, a four-member team of social-researcher, activists and lawyer visited village Karisunda, PS-Indus, Dist- Bankura For the purpose of gathering ground realities and to share our solidarity and empathy with the deceased family. Team members are-

1.      Tamalika

2.      Kanai Halder

3.      Sandip Sinha

4.      Subha Protim Roy Chowdhury

The location of the house where the attack took place further underscores the gravity of the incident. The house stands in an isolated part of the village, at its far end, bordering expansive paddy fields. To reach it, we had to leave our shoes behind and walk for over 400 metres along a narrow, deeply muddy path made even more treacherous by the continuous monsoon rains. The journey between the house and the neighborhood chowk is difficult even on foot, and it is virtually impossible for a vehicle such as an ambulance to reach the house directly. That a group of eight or ten men allegedly attacked Abdul Hafiz and his father, Muhammad Mafik with life-threatening weapons late at night, in a location where timely access to medical care was severely constrained, points to circumstances that indicate a premeditated killing.

In this episode, we speak with the deceased's wife, daughter, sister, and neighbors. Among them, the names of those who did not wish to reveal their identities were either not disclosed or pseudonyms were used.

Women folk

During our visit to Karisunda village, we spoke with several women from the village, who said they are now living in a constant state of fear after having spent over 35 years in what they described as a relatively peaceful neighborhood. They recalled that while minor disagreements and altercations had occurred from time to time, never before had anyone been killed. According to them, the group responsible for threatening Abdul Hafiz and killing his father has a continuing history of targeting individuals and making unreasonable demands. This was echoed by the mother of Jahanatullah Firdaus, who said that her son, who earns his livelihood through a small neighborhood shop and by driving a toto, was threatened by the same group on the very night of the attack. She added that he had also been threatened on earlier occasions.

Women remembered deceased Muhammad Mafik as an inoffensive, meek, and gentle man who earned his livelihood by selling chapatis (rooti-r line), and worked hard to educate his son up to the undergraduate level and his daughter in electrical engineering. The family, they said, had never had any disputes with anyone in the village. The prevailing sentiment in the locality is that if such violence could be inflicted upon the family of Muhammad Mafik, it could happen to any of them. Their fear reflects not only deep anxiety but also a profound lack of confidence that the police or the administration would come to their rescue.

An elderly villager

There were few people in our neighborhood that day; many had gone away for an event. Otherwise, such a major incident could not have occurred. And then there is Azad and the others who terrorize this area; they are always involved in corruption and wrongdoing. Where isn't there corruption—in the schools, the panchayat, or the land department?

He alleges that earlier this year, Chandan Rakshit—the president of the Trinamool-run Indus Panchayat Samiti—was extorting money. Sukhendu Roy, a BJP supporter from Dibakarbati in Indus, was told that he would have to pay ₹50,000 if he wished to continue living at home and running his business in the area; consequently, he was forced to leave his home. Today, the situation has changed, the BJP is engaging in the very same practice. They are even dragging the Hindu-Muslim issue into the matter. However, the incident involving Mafik has nothing to do with communalism; it is simply a display of the arrogance of power.

A mere boy is bypassing us to go to Delhi and stage a protest? And now he’s talking about conducting a survey in the local schools? He’s got quite some nerve, hasn't he? That is the arrogance of these goons.

That teacher—the one Abdul talked about the school survey—is not a good man. He must have tipped off those BJP goons. He, too, should be questioned by the police. The goons had come to teach a 'lesson'. The father lost his life while trying to save his son. He was a very simple, ordinary man like us. He wanted to educate his children and was doing so despite facing severe financial hardship.

Ajijul Mondal

Teacher of a High School and member of a Madrasa Council shared the present situation of the localities. The previous Trinamool government inflicted significant damage on our state. It divided society along religious lines, thereby paving the way for the BJP. Mamata Banerjee effectively worked on behalf of the RSS; she built a Jagannath temple and provided financial contributions for Durga Puja, essentially implementing their agenda. At the same time, she took actions and made statements to woo Muslim voters that alienated the Hindu community, thereby polarizing society.

Now the BJP has arrived. If there were no understanding between Modi and Mamata, would the ‘nephew’ still be roaming free instead of being arrested? Look at the Supreme Court, too—the kind of verdicts being handed down! Where can one turn for justice?

The attacks and mob lynchings witnessed here are bound to escalate; lawlessness will rise. Politics will be played over these killings as well. One of the perpetrators was a Muslim man named Azad; he was a notorious goon during the Left regime who had remained dormant under Trinamool rule but has now resurfaced.

The Scheduled Caste members in the area are now BJP supporters. That is why attempts are being made to instigate a clash between Muslims and Dalits. A conflict is being instigated between two impoverished classes.

Sheikh Muhammad Mafiq's sister

My sister and I have only one dada (older brother). We are three siblings. He bought land here, built this house, and moved here from our old neighborhood. I was with him at the hospital. We rushed over the moment we heard the news on the night he was mobbed and beaten. He was lying in bed. During the night, he said, "Buni (beloved sister), I have a terrible pain in my chest—come, rub my chest for me." When I asked why it hurt, he told me, "They struck me in the chest."

In the morning, he was taken to Indus Hospital. By then, my elder brother was struggling to breathe. We rushed to get an oxygen unit, but was told that an Aadhaar card was required. In the rush, we hadn't brought it with us. I pleaded with them, but they refused and acted high-handed. Finally, they agreed after my sister-in-law intervened. A CT scan was performed there. Shortly afterwards, my brother began to thrash about in distress. In Indas, BJP supporters cause us trouble. They obstruct medical treatment.

Finally, the hospital authorities responded, said take it to Burdwan, or Bankura Medical College Hospital. We took the ambulance to Burdwan. On the way, dada's condition became serious. After a long period of untreated treatment, the fight finally ended.

Hasina Begum, wife of Seikh Muhammad Mafiq

According Hasina Begum, her son Hafiz had been receiving threats ever since he returned from the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. She further stated that on the evening of the attack, he was threatened over his involvement in matters relating to the local primary school. Here is her statement-

They had been threatening him ever since (Jantar Mantar, Delhi protest). The group included a local anti-social element named Sheikh Azad, along with local BJP members—Srikanta Majhi, Rohit Majhi, Abani Majhi, and Prashanta Majhi. They are all residents of this village. It was they who stormed our house at 8 PM on August 13th to attack my son, armed with iron rods and sticks. They cut off the electricity supply to our house. Other goons had arrived from outside as well, but no one could be identified in the darkness.

They started beating my son. Srikanta Majhi pinned my son down by pressing a crowbar against his throat. My husband and I somehow managed to push our son inside the house to save him; he barely escaped indoors and managed to bolt the door. Then they grabbed my husband and beat him indiscriminately. When I tried to intervene, they shoved me, and I was injured as well.

No one came to our rescue at that time; there was no one to intervene. I kept my injured husband at home overnight, fearing that if we tried to take him out, they might kill both him and our son on the way. At daybreak, we took him to Indas Hospital. Even there, those goons continued to intimidate us in various ways and snatched away my son's mobile phone. Meanwhile, my husband's condition grew increasingly critical, and he writhed in agony. Eventually, Indas Hospital referred us elsewhere, and he was taken to Bardhaman Hospital. But he could not be saved.

I have heard that eight people have been arrested. However, more individuals are involved in this murder conspiracy; it is part of a larger plot. They, too, must be arrested. Furthermore, there should be no mockery of justice—as happened in the R.G. Kar case.

Taniya Khatun, daughter of Seikh Muhammad Mafiq

She is an engineering student who had gone to Bangalore for an internship. She is terrified, gripped by the fear that such an incident might happen again. The past two days have been an emotional whirlwind for the young woman; she shrank away from the constant flashes of cameras surrounding her. Speaking in a hushed tone, she said, "I still shudder whenever I recall it all. What if they come back? What if they get bail and return to attack us?" The gathered crowd had no answer for her.

Complaint lodged and FIR

An application submitted by Hasina Begum, the mother of Abdul Hafiz and wife of late Seikh Muhammad Mafik on 16 August 2026 sets out a detailed account of the attack. In her complaint, she identified five accused persons while also referring to other unidentified assailants. She alleged that the electricity supply to the house was deliberately cut off before the attack began, that the assailants repeatedly prevented the family from seeking medical assistance, and that they were assaulted even within the hospital premises.

The FIR registered on 16 August 2026 names the five identified accused, but the remaining 8–10 alleged assailants continue to remain unidentified. The accused have been charged with several non-bailable offences, including house trespass or house-breaking after sunset, causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons, snatching, attempt to murder, and murder, along with other bailable offences. Cases have been registered against the arrested individuals under Sections 329(4), 331(4), 126(2), 117(2), 118(2), 304(2), 351(3), 109, 103(1), 61(2), 324(4), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In our interaction with Hasina Begum, she further stated that several alleged attackers have still not been arrested. Speaking about those who have been arrested, she said they are reportedly boasting that they will soon be released from prison. This has deepened the family's fear that, if released, they would return to threaten and harm them again. These concerns reflect not only the family's anxiety but also a wider lack of confidence among residents that the police or the administration would be able to ensure their safety.

On 18 August, 2026 we had tried to talk with Nirmal Kumar Dhara, MLA of Indus assembly constituency. But he did not take call.

Our observations and demands:

Based on conversations with people and an assessment of the overall situation, the fact-finding team presents its observations and demands here.

1.      Challenging absolute power: Sheikh Abdul Hafiz’s trip to Delhi to join the movement poses a major challenge for the local BJP leadership. Furthermore, there is simmering anger among BJP workers and leaders at all levels over the central government's 'defeat' in that movement—specifically, the forced resignation of the Union Education Minister—which they find difficult to accept. Furthermore, the suggestion to carry out a survey at the local school was viewed by them as a threat to their enduring dominance in the region. Hence, the plan to nip it in the bud.

2.      Corruption within educational institutions: The "School Thik Karo" (Fix Our Schools) printable audit form is a survey template initiated by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) that is driven by citizens. This grassroots initiative allows parents, community members, and volunteers to systematically evaluate the infrastructure and quality of rural government schools throughout India.

Sheikh Abdul Hafiz proposed the head teacher of Karosunda Primary School to start a survey here. We know that in West Bengal corruption is not limited merely to the recruitment of teachers or staff only; rather, it has deeply permeated various aspects of daily school operations—ranging from the primary level to the distribution of mid-day meals and the procurement of supplies for various government schemes. So, to prevent stirring up a hornet's nest, address the issue at its inception—‘remove it’ immediately from the outset.

3.      Overall, the villagers are living in fear; the reign of goons has not yet ended. They have stated that there is no communal angle to this killing.

4.      To understand the magnitude and the characteristic of the electoral violence that occurred during the 2023 panchayet Poll in West Bengal and also to understand of the presence of a people’s organization acted as a deterrent to violence, PBKMS had studied in the field and published a report. In our study, we have observed how the presence of a non-party union can reduce violence. We had experience that West Bengal has a legacy of political violence, this incident of Indus is a part of it. Its adjoining PS is Khandaghosh, which has a documented history of political tensions and episodic violence.  

5.      Civil society should be granted permission to conduct surveys or engage in other activities to identify school-related issues. The state government needs to be supportive of this initiative rather than viewing it as a challenge.

Demands

1. All the perpetrators must be booked under criminal justice system.

2. Not only deployment of police, administration must play a role to maintain law and order by arranging village level peace meeting, regular negotiation with victim’s family.

3. Deploying excess force means keeping people under surveillance. This could infringe upon the fundamental rights of ordinary citizens. We want decisions on this matter to be made in consultation with the villagers.

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Published and distributed by PBKMS, on 18 August, 2026