Bengal's Murshidabad on boil over violent anti-Waqf Act protests, over 110 arrested

Protests have swept across several districts including the Muslim-dominated Malda, Murshdiabad.

Over 110 people have been arrested from Murshidabad alone, police said.

Situation in Murshidabad is still tense after the protesters ransacked railway properties, torched houses causing displacement of the residents.

The incidents have been reported from Jangipur and Suti where police vehicles, bikes were torched, even leading cops to take refuge in local stores. 

Not just in Murshidabad, the anti-Waqf protests also took place in the state capital Kolkata earlier this week.

In a deeply disturbing video which went viral on social media, a frenzy mob of Muslim people forced a bus driver to take down a saffron flag leaving the crowd cheering.

Slamming the Mamata Banerjee administration over the violence, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X, "Today it is Samserganj—tomorrow, it could be your neighbourhood.

"What was this Hindu woman’s fault? What connection did she have to the Waqf? Why was her humble livelihood reduced to ashes, Mamata Banerjee? And where was the West Bengal Police? If you still believe this violence in the name of Waqf is just about one bill, go ahead—keep deluding yourself. Despite the West Bengal government’s claims of normalcy, the situation remains volatile in many areas. Mamata Banerjee is willing to let the state burn for the sake of her politics."

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari wrote on X, "The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening. Why is she allowing, instigating and tolerating such lawlessness? Why isn't there any clear statement issued by the State Government condemning this act of terror? Is vote-bank politics more important than the safety of West Bengal’s People and Institutions? "

"I demand that the culprits must be identified, arrested and prosecuted under the strictest sections of law. This would be the primary step to restore order. If the State Govt is incapable of doing it, then kindly seek the assistance of the Central Government. "

Adhikari has written a letter to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw requesting for a probe into the violence by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

He wrote, "The recent incidents of vandalism at several Railway Stations situated in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, perpetrated by the so-called 'protesters' opposing the passage of the Waqf Act are deliberate acts of destruction, targeting critical Public Infrastructure like Railway Stations which not only disrupt essential services but also pose a serious threat to public safety and national security.

"I have written a letter to Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw Ji; the Hon'ble Minister of Railways, requesting him to hand over the investigation of the multiple incidents of vandalism at the Railway Stations situated in the Murshidabad District of West Bengal, to the National Investigation Agency"

Violence in Murshidabad's Samserganj

It is alleged that the police were attacked, triggering a response from the security officials. Several policemen even took shelter in mosques to save their lives.

Meanwhile, allegations of bombing and firing were also reported on Friday.

According to reports, two youths have been admitted to the hospital after being shot at.

The Border Security Force (BSF) had to be deployed in the area to handle the situation.

The Indian Railways, in a statement, announced several restrictions on train movement for security reasons. As a result, services have been severely disrupted.

About 5000 people gathered and squatted on railway tracks between Dhulianganga and Nimtita stations, affecting train movement, the statement said.

The police and administration in the Murshidabad district were on alert ever since tension broke out in Jangipur. Prohibitory orders are already in place in several areas.

However, on Friday afternoon, Waqf protesters blocked National Highway No. 12 from the Dakbanglo intersection in Samserganj to the Sajur intersection in Sutir, following which normal traffic movement was disrupted.