Protests that began in the wake of Parliament passing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill spiralled into violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, where three people were killed, 15 police personnel injured, and 118 arrested. Appealing for calm, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked people not to do “non-religious activity in the name of religion” and said the law will not be enacted in the state. The Calcutta High Court, meanwhile, ordered that central forces be deployed in Murshidabad until Thursday.
Protests started in some districts in the state shortly after the Bill was passed, with various outfits taking out rallies where people participated.
According to the police, one of the deceased received bullet injuries at the Sajurmore crossing area on Friday. He is yet to be identified. A father and son, Hargobindo Das (72) and Chandan Das (40), were allegedly hacked to death by miscreants during the violence in Samaherganj, police said.
A charred vehicle after violent clashes following protests over Waqf Act at Jangipur, in Murshidabad district, Saturday. (PTI Photo)
“A mob ran riot in the area. They entered the house and dragged both of them out. Then hacked them to death and looted the house. Police took a long time to arrive. Before the mob came, I hid on the terrace of a separate house,” said Prosenjit Das, a relative.
ADG Javed Shamim confirmed the deaths.
According to police, after a flurry of violence on Friday, a fresh flare-up took place on Saturday morning in Shamshergunj. A huge contingent of the police force and the BSF has been deployed in trouble-torn areas.
“We will not tolerate hooliganism. We will deal with it very, very strongly. Police use minimum force. But I want to make it clear — wherever it takes, we will deal with the situation strongly,” said Rajeev Kumar, the state’s director general of police, at a press conference in Bhawani Bhawan.
“It started as demonstrations, then public property was damaged, and then it took a communal angle. Last night, we controlled the situation. In the morning, a fresh flare-up took place, and we again controlled the situation. We are not action-shy. If miscreants take the law into their hands, we will act very, very strongly,” Kumar said.
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“Strong action will be taken against people who spread rumours. I appeal to everyone not to spread rumours,” Kumar said.
Shamim confirmed that police had to report to firing on Friday evening to control the mob.
“Trouble erupted in Sujarmore crossing under Suti police station as agitators blocked National Highway 12. We tried to follow the rules and our drill. We baton charged and used tear gas shells. But the mob started to ransack and set fire to public property and public buses, and attacked the police. We had to resort to firing. Four rounds were fired, and two persons were injured,” said Shamim. “Fifteen policemen were injured, some very seriously; they are admitted to hospitals.”
Prohibitory orders and an internet ban remained in place in various areas of Murshidabad.
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Meanwhile, the house of TMC MLA Manirul Islam was ransacked on Friday. “The mob pelted stones and ransacked my house. I was not at home. I went to talk with the agitators but I was heckled by them,” said Islam.
The office of local TMC MP Khalilur Rehman was also ransacked. Train services were hit as protesters squatted on the rail tracks.
On Saturday, Chief Minister Banerjee posted on X, “I appeal to all religions, please remain calm and restrained. In the name of religion, don’t do any non-religious activity. Every person’s life is important… for political reasons, don’t instigate riots. Those who are rioting are basically harming the society. You should remember… the Central government introduced that law. So, if you want to ask, ask the Centre… We already specified our stance that we do not support such a law. We will not implement this law in our state. Then, why are you rioting?… Whoever is instigating riots, we will take stern action against them. We will not tolerate any violence.”
On April 9, while speaking at a program of the Jain community, the CM had said, “I know you are aggrieved because of the enactment of the Waqf Act. Have faith, nothing will happen in Bengal by which one can divide and rule. You send out a message that all have to stay together.”
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BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, meanwhile said, ”There is an attempt to change West Bengal to West Bangladesh. Mamata Banerjee should resign. The police is not acting. That is why Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of central forces.”