The police in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district arrested 22 people Wednesday in connection with the violence and arson during protests against the Waqf Act, even as the internet remained suspended in Jangipur and surrounding areas.
Authorities clamped prohibitory orders in the area under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Tuesday evening and put a ban on the internet after the violence amid the protests.
“Twenty-two people have been arrested in connection with the violence. Police patrolling is on in different areas. The situation is under control,” said Ananda Ray, Superintendent of Police, Jangipur Police district, told The Indian Express over the phone.
Rajarshi Mitra, District Magistrate, Murshidabad, also told The Indian Express that the situation is normal, and no untoward incidents have been reported. “There is heavy police deployment in the area, and prohibitory orders are in place,” Mitra said on a call.
In a late-night video message from Delhi, TMC MP from Jangipur, Khalilur Rehman, urged residents to maintain peace. “I request all to maintain peace. We protested against the Waqf Bill in Parliament. We also voted against it. I appeal to the people of Jangipur not to fall prey to provocations. I also appeal to all guardians to see that their sons aged 15 to 10 years are not swayed by provocations or swept away by emotions,” said Rehman.
On Tuesday, protest rallies were held by various organisations in Jangipur, and agitators blocked Umarpur crossing and National Highway 12. While the police requested the protestors to lift the blockade, they did not budge. The protesters clashed with the police when they tried to forcibly lift the blockade, and pelted stones. The protesters torched two police jeeps.
Later, a contingent of security personnel, including the Rapid Action Force (RAF), was rushed to the spot. The police resorted to a lathi charge and used tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
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Passed by Parliament last week and given assent by the President, the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is likely to hear petitions challenging the latest amendments made to the Waqf Bill on April 15.
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