A tense calm envelops West Bengal. The violence against the Waqf Amendment Law has unsettled everyone. Mobs set vehicles ablaze, scorched homes, and wrecked shops. They blocked trains and damaged railway property. Numerous areas including Murshidabad were shaken, leading to mass exoduses. About 500 people sought refuge in Malda, fleeing their burned homes. Currently, central forces are deployed to maintain order, and police teams are actively working to identify those responsible. So far, approximately 150 have been arrested.
On Friday, after the Jumu'ah prayers, thousands flooded the streets of Murshidabad to protest the Waqf Amendment Law, blocking National Highway 34. As police attempted to clear the crowd, clashes erupted. Simultaneously, nearly 10 kilometers away, another mass gathered at Samsherganj's National Highway.
In Samsherganj, the crowd first rioted at Dak Bungalow Mor, setting police vehicles on fire and vandalizing a police outpost before torching it. Shops and motorcycles along the roadside suffered damage, and attempts to ignite the railway infrastructure were made near Dhuliyan Station. Armed forces arrived in droves to regain control. At present, central and West Bengal police officers are stationed throughout critical areas despite persistent tension. Fearful for their safety, hundreds left Murshidabad, seeking shelter in Malda.
Source: aajtak
Areas Affected by Violence:
Murshidabad, Raghunathganj, Suti, Jangipur, and Samsherganj, along with events in South 24 Parganas' Amtala, North 24 Parganas, and Champadani in Hooghly, were subjected to unrest. Section 163 of the BNSS was enforced in several areas.
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Source: aajtak
Who's Traveling to Murshidabad Today?
The BJP's state president and central minister, Sukanta Majumdar, has reached Malda. Meanwhile, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury is headed to Murshidabad. The Eastern Command's BSF ADG, Ravi Gandhi, is on a two-day visit to Malda and Murshidabad to assess the violence-hit areas of Suti, Samsherganj, and Jangipur.
Source: aajtak
Security Forces Deployed:
Currently, 9 BSF companies and 8 CRPF companies are stationed in the violence-affected areas. Initially, 200 BSF personnel were stationed locally. Later, an additional 5 BSF contingents were dispatched. Now, 800 BSF personnel are assisting Bengal police with joint route marches, especially focusing on Suti and Samsherganj. Additional CRPF forces from Kolkata's Rajarhat are en route to Murshidabad.
Also Read: Tension after Murshidabad Violence, 500 Hindu families displaced, view more.
Recent Arrests:
According to West Bengal police sources, 30 more individuals were apprehended Saturday night during joint operations with the BSF. So far, 180 related arrests have been made. Today, Bengal police will conduct peace meetings with various clubs and local organizations. On Sunday, BSF attempted to quell unruly mobs in some areas.
Source: aajtak
Political Reactions:
The BJP accused the Bengal government of targeting Hindus and demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation, suggesting the imposition of President's Rule for conducting elections. Meanwhile, CM Mamata Banerjee reiterated that Bengal would not implement the Waqf law and urged peace. TMC leader Kunal Ghosh made serious allegations against the BSF, accusing them of facilitating cross-border attackers.
Source: aajtak
When questioned by Aaj Tak about the violence, Maulana Madani reacted angrily, insisting, "Are only Muslims to blame? Ask the Home Minister why Murshidabad is burning." UP CM Yogi Adityanath criticized the Bengal government, claiming that Hindus were being murdered after being dragged from their homes. Opposition parties, he said, are engaging in votebank politics.
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Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the former Congress MP from Murshidabad's Berhampore, stated, "I'm visiting today to ensure peace. Our party's MP from there, Isha Khan, was in communication with me, although the administration isn't allowing us to visit. Nonetheless, our MPs are making the trip." A notable Congress response said the administration seemed willfully oblivious, allowing the chaos to unfold, while pointing fingers at BJP for communal polarization.
Source: aajtak
Raj Bhavan's Response:
Amidst the tension, the Governor has issued strict directives, urging the state government to restore peace in Murshidabad, Amtala of North 24 Parganas, Suti, Dhuliyan, and other sensitive areas. With the potential for unrest, discussions have been held with the Chief Minister, though details remain confidential. Raj Bhavan assures safety measures are being intensified, establishing a 24/7 control room and a help line (033-22001641) for public assistance. Given its proximity to international borders, the Governor has reached out to the Union Home Minister for additional support.
Source: aajtak
Migration of People:
Hundreds enervation-stricken in West Bengal's Murshidabad district have crossed the Bhagirathi River, seeking asylum in Malda. The local administration provides refuge and sustenance for the displaced, sheltering them in schools. Volunteers are stationed riverside to assist newcomers arriving by boat.
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To date, around 500 individuals have vacated Murshidabad, a trend that shows no sign of abating. Refugees have taken up temporary residence in Malda's Parlalpur High School, sheltering roughly 500 people, predominantly women and children. Villagers claim they fled from Dhuliyan. The group ranges from newborns to elderly women. Local residents are ensuring these refugees are fed. Testimonies from the refugees reveal that poison was mixed into the water tanks—consumption would lead to death. Forced to flee to save their lives, they lament widespread pillaging and the torching of their homes. One villager commented, "My home is in Murshidabad's Dhuliyan. A significant number of homes in my village were set on fire, and the local population faced assault. We had no choice but to leave as our homes were ravaged, and food supplies depleted."
Source: aajtak
Current Situation:
The condition in Murshidabad is tense but under control. The BSF DIG stated, "Public safety is our top priority." On Sunday, Murshidabad streets remained deserted, shops closed, and people confined to their homes. Police and armed forces patrol violence-hit areas ceaselessly.
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A senior police officer remarked that conditions in Murshidabad, especially in Suti, Samsherganj, Dhuliyan, and Jangipur, were peaceful and stable on Monday. The BNSS's Section 163 prohibition remains in effect, with deserted streets and closed businesses. Internet services in affected areas have been suspended, while security forces review vehicles on main roads.
Source: aajtak
Under the leadership of Nakhoda Mosque's Imam Maulana Shafiq, clerics stated, "Those who attacked the innocent cannot be part of any democratic protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, as their actions contradict Islamic principles."
High Court's Involvement:
The Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of central forces in violence-affected Murshidabad. The court noted, "Reports from some districts indicate brutality; this cannot be ignored." The directive extends beyond Murshidabad to other requisite districts, aiming to stabilize and restore conditions swiftly. The next hearing is set for April 17. Meanwhile, the state has implemented Section 163 of BNSS in violence-affected areas, and additional BSF companies are active in Murshidabad's regions like Suti, Dhuliyan, and Samsherganj.
Source: aajtak
What Happened On Friday in Murshidabad?
On Friday, protests against the Waqf Act in Murshidabad spiraled into violence, resulting in the death of three, including a father-son duo, and injuring 18 police officers. The area is predominantly Muslim. By Saturday night, DGP Rajeev Kumar reached Samsherganj, holding meetings with senior officers and patrolling the affected regions.
Saturday, despite no new incidents of violence reported, security forces maintained vigilance, especially in Suti, Dhuliyan, Samsherganj, and Jangipur, where operations led to twelve more arrests, totaling 180. The investigation continues, with further arrests anticipated.
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Section 163 of the Indian National Security Code has been enforced in areas under threat, suspending internet services. Security officials continue inspections on major roads and patrol sensitive locales. The ongoing investigation aims to bring justice and restore order.
Source: aajtak
Friday's crescendo of violence stemmed from a police van and several vehicles being set ablaze and security forces being stoned, creating blockades. Amid such fury, additional clashes on Saturday saw more reports of disturbances. During this turmoil, two bodies were uncovered in Jafara, Samsherganj, identified as Hargobindo Das and Chandan Das, bearing multiple knife wounds. Friday's conflict also saw the death of 21-year-old Ejaaz Momin from gunfire at the Sajur Mor in Suti.
