PM Modi to visit Bengal in backdrop of Murshidabad violence and Hindu exodus over anti-Waqf protests

West Bengal Leader of Opposition and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced the Prime Minister will be in the state later this month.

"The Prime Minister will visit the state within a few days. After his visit, we will decide our state's core committee. We are eager to offer a final fight. We will hold a march to Nabanna (state secretariat). The date and time will be announced by the state president," said Adhikari from a rally in Kolkata.

BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar said the date and venue of the Prime Minister's visit is yet to be finalised.

"We will let you all know," said Majumdar.

However, official confirmation on Modi's visit is yet to arrive.

As per some reports, Modi is likely to visit Kolkata on April 24 to inaugurate a metro project.

Modi's visit will assume significance as the Murshidabad district is on the boil over the Islamist violence over Waqf (Amendment) Act leading at least 500 Hindus to flee the Muslim-dominated district.

Attacked by marauding mobs, Hindus from villages fled in boats and roads to adjacent district Malda as Islamic violence claimed three lives and destroyed properties in Muslim-majority Murshidabad district reeling under a firestorm of protests against the Centre's Waqf (Amendment) Act.

While 150 people have been arrested so far, according to media reports, several areas of the district continue to remain tense, even on Sunday. The areas affected by violence include Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj, and Jangipur.

West Bengal Police have now said that the situation is under control, and prohibitory orders are in place to prevent large gatherings.

Videos from ferry ghats showed hordes of Hindu families, including women, children and elderly, fleeing to the safety of Malda district.

Video footage captured people crossing the river from Dhulian Ferry Ghat in Murshidabad to Parlalpur High School in Kaliachak Block 3 of Malda district.

Among the victims are a father and son who were hacked to death by a violent mob in the remote Jafrabad area of Shamsherganj on Saturday after the village came under attack, police sources told India Today.  Another- a youth- died from a bullet wound, said reports.

The Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the deployment of central paramilitary forces in Murshidabad to restore order following large-scale communal violence across several districts in West Bengal over the Waqf Amendment Act.

The decision came during a special hearing held on a court holiday, after Adhikari moved a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking urgent central intervention.