Violence erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday again during a protest against the amended Waqf law as people torched a police jeep and ransacked several vehicles and motorbikes in Jangipur area.
The office of local TMC MP Khalilur Rehman was also ransacked.
A huge contingent of police force has been deployed in the area and prohibitory orders have been imposed. Internet services have also been suspended in the district.
“Police have been deployed and they are dominating the area. We are ascertaining the damages,” Murshidabad District Magistrate Rajarshi Mitra told The Indian Express.
According to police, hundreds of people blocked National Highway 12 at Shajurmore crossing near Dhulian under Jangipur subdivision on Thursday afternoon protesting against the Waqf (Amendment ) law.
VIDEO | West Bengal: People hold protest against Waqf (Amendment) law in Jangipur, Murshidabad. Protest turned violent as they allegedly vandalised a police vehicle and set it on fire.
(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz pic.twitter.com/GUu0RsrQQo
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 8, 2025
“As policemen tried to lift the blockade, stones were pelted at them. The protesters set fire to a police jeep and a motorbike in the area. Other vehicles were ransacked and stones were pelted at the trucks stranded on the NH,” a police officer added.
Police had to resort to lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse the mob.
“There is a deep conspiracy to defame the state government. My own office in Dhulian was ransacked. I was not present in the office at that time. I was travelling through Sajurmore crossing when the protesters stopped me and verbally abused me. Police escorted me out of the area. The protesters had no flag, no leaders,” Rehman told The Indian Express over the phone.
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The Eastern Railway said that five trains were stranded at various places due to obstructions by protesters between Dhulianganga and Nimtita railway stations.
On April 8, Waqf law protesters had blocked NH 12 in Umarpur in Jangipur and torched police jeeps.
“Hooligans in the name of agitation are doing this in various parts of the state, including Murshidabad. The chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) who is also the home minister is responsible. Police are acting like bystanders,” Leader of Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari said.
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