Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Saturday announced that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be implemented in the state, following violent protests in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district that left at least three people dead and several others injured.
Amidst growing unrest in pockets such as Suti and Samserganj, the Calcutta High Court, acting on a petition filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, ordered the deployment of CAPF personnel in the affected areas.
A division bench, presided over by Justice Soumen Sen, observed that the court “cannot keep its eyes closed” when such situations arise, and stressed the need to provide adequate security to citizens.
The court also directed the Centre and the state to submit detailed reports on the situation before the next hearing April 17.
At least three people, including a father-son duo, were killed, and over 138 arrested after protests turned violent in Suti and Samserganj blocks of Murshidabad.
In a bid to pacify the agitated protesters, the Chief Minister clarified that the law in question was legislated by the Centre and not by her government.
“Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government,” Banerjee said in a post on X.
“We have made our position clear on this matter — we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?” she asked.
In light of the escalating violence, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with the West Bengal Chief Secretary and DGP to review the situation.
The Home Ministry reiterated its concern over the law and order breakdown in Murshidabad.
Nearly 300 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were already stationed in the district, and the Centre deployed five additional companies of central forces to help restore order.
In one of the most disturbing incidents reported so far, a father and son were found stabbed to death inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area.
Family members alleged that miscreants looted their home and then fatally attacked the two before fleeing.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old sustained bullet injuries during clashes at Sajur More in Suti Friday and succumbed to his injuries at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital Saturday evening, the officer said.
Violence continued to flare in some areas Saturday as well.
Two bidi factory workers, including a minor boy, sustained bullet injuries while on their way to work in Dhulian in Samserganj.
Both are being treated at the Murshidabad Medical College and are reportedly stable.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim told reporters in Kolkata that a total of 138 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest so far.
The violence, which erupted over the central government’s Waqf (Amendment) Act, led to massive disruptions. Protesters torched police vehicles, blocked roads and vandalised railway property.
Train services in the New Farakka-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway were disrupted for nearly six hours between Dhuliandanga and Nimtita stations Friday.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed in several parts of Murshidabad, and internet services have been suspended to prevent further escalation.
DGP Rajeev Kumar warned of stringent action against those involved in the violence.
“This is a fight between good and evil. Rumour mongering has to be stopped. We will request people not to take law and order into their hands. We assure them that the police will take the strongest measure against the culprits and protect the lives and properties of the common people,” he said.
Appealing for peace, CM Banerjee urged people across communities not to fall prey to provocation.
In a post on X, she wrote, “My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society.”
সবার কাছে আবেদন
সব ধর্মের সকল মানুষের কাছে আমার একান্ত আবেদন, আপনারা দয়া করে শান্ত থাকুন, সংযত থাকুন। ধর্মের নামে কোনো অ-ধার্মিক আচরণ করবেন না। প্রত্যেক মানুষের প্রাণই মূল্যবান, রাজনীতির স্বার্থে দাঙ্গা লাগাবেন না। দাঙ্গা যারা করছেন তারা সমাজের ক্ষতি করছেন।
মনে রাখবেন, যে…
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) April 12, 2025
Meanwhile, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the vandalism of railway property during the protests.
“Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear amongst other Communities of our Society,” Adhikari said in a post on X.
I am deeply outraged and vehemently condemn the atrocious incident of vandalism at the Jalangi BDO Office in Murshidabad District, carried out by radical elements masquerading as protestors against the Anti-Waqf Law.
Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a… pic.twitter.com/vexakFnNBi
— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) April 12, 2025
With Assembly polls a year away, political tempers flared Saturday over reports of unrest in Murshidabad, as Bengal BJP chief and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to “protect Hindus” in Samserganj, Suti and Jangipur.
“The administration is looking the other way as Hindus come under attack. Once BJP is in power after next year’s assembly polls, this vandalism by a section of minorities will be crushed in five minutes,” Majumdar told reporters.
Hitting back, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the opposition was trying to disturb communal harmony for political gain.
PTI
