West Bengal Police have arrested more than 110 persons in the Murshidabad district after widespread violence during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The unrest, which began on Friday, affected many districts, including Hooghly, Malda, and South Parganas. Protesters were seen torching vehicles on fire, obstructing roads, and throwing stones at police personnel.
As per official the violence was specifically intense in Murshidabad’s Suti and Samserganj areas. A senior official stated to PTI, ”Around 70 people have been arrested from Stuti and another from Samserganj.”As per the latest report, raids are continuing across all affected districts to arrest those who are involved.
Fresh violence in Jangipur
According to the Indian Express report, fresh violence has taken place in Jangipur, where protestors have ransacked many vehicles, vandalized the local office of TMC MP Khalilur Rehman. Train services were also affected as protestors demonstrated on railway tracks. To handle the situation, the administration has stationed both BSF personnel and police to restore order in the area.
To restore law and order, the administration has implemented prohibitory orders in parts of Murshidabad, and internet services have been restored in several violence-affected areas.
A senior official mentioned to PTI, ”Security has been strengthened and patrolling continues. We are taking strict action to avert further disturbances. People are urged not to believe or spread rumours, particularly on social media.”
Meanwhile, a teenage boy who has suffered injuries during the clash in Stuti, reportedly from police firing, has been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata. The details of the incidents are yet to be confirmed by the authorities.
The incident has resulted in political backlash, with the BJP blaming the Mamata Banerjee headed government for failing to maintain law and order.
BJP condemns violence
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari posted on the social media platform X, calling the violence a ”premeditated act” by extremist elements. ”This was not a protest. It was an assault on democracy and governance by jihadist forces trying to spread fear and chaos,” Adhikari mentioned. He further added that the destruction of public property and threats to officials should not be tolerated and demanded strict legal action against those who are involved.
#WATCH | On Murshidabad violence during a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act, West Bengal BJP president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar says, "Police is doing nothing and is keeping quiet on the direction of Mamata Banerjee. She is trying to create a Bangladesh here by… pic.twitter.com/wVoXMoTHNO
— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025
Union Minister Giriraj Singh called the situation ”unfortunate” and blamed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of failing to protect Hindus. ”This shows Hindus are being forced to flee West Bengal. It is happening under the state government’s watch,” he stated in Begusarai, as quoted by ANI.
Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP president and MP Sukanta Majumdar has also alleged that the Chief Minister was ”trying to create a Bangladesh here by threatening Hindus.” He blamed the police for not taking any action and claimed they were ”silent” under Mamata’s instruction. ”We are in contact with Delhi, and the Home Minister is fully aware,” he stated to ANI.
As tension escalates, state authorities continue to be on high alert to prevent further violence.
(With inputs from Agencies)