NEW DELHI: Amid unrest in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, 12 more people were arrested in connection with violence, taking the total number to over 150. No new incident of violence has been reported yet after five companies of BSF were deployed in the Muslim-dominated district.
The move came after Calcutta high court on Saturday ordered the “immediate” deployment of Central forces in the area. IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat, said that BSF would coordinate with state police to restore peace in the region. He added that more forces would be added if needed.
“We have to work along with them in this situation. The discussions were held on this only. We have sent our five companies to help the police. We are here to help the police, not for independent action. We will act according to the demands of the state police. We hope that peace will be restored here soon. If the police need more companies, we will provide them. BSF is ready for all situations,” he said.
3 killed, over 150 arrested
The violence in West Bengal’s Muslim-dominated Murshidabad erupted in the wake of the amended Waqf law. At least 3 people were killed and over 150 were arrested in connection with the violence. Meanwhile, raids were conducted at several places in West Bengal.
Earlier on Friday, several vehicles were set ablaze and stones were hurled at security forces. Various districts, including Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 parganas were rocked by violence.
Security personnel keep a vigil at an area amid protests. (Pic credit: PTI)
Prohibitory orders imposed in affected areas
A senior police officer said on Sunday that prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in affected areas.
He added that internet services were also suspended and security forces are checking vehicles on the main roads and patrolling the sensitive pockets.
CM calls a meeting
Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Saugata Roy said that chief minster Mamata Banerjee has called a meeting to pacify the Muslim community.
Saugata Roy said, “Mamata Banerjee is the leader of the people of Bengal. She knows how to run Bengal. There is no place for BJP here. People are unhappy over Waqf Amendment Bill, so the Chief Minister has called a meeting to pacify the Muslim community. People’s sentiments are agitated over the Waqf Bill. The reaction was spontaneous.”
Charred remains of a vehicle following a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act, at Jangipur in Murshidabad on Saturday. (Pic credit: ANI)
BJP leader requests Shah to declare select border districts as ‘disturbed areas’
BJP Lok Sabha MP from West Bengal, Jyotirmay Singh Mahato on Sunday wrote a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah requesting him to declare select border districts of West Bengal as ‘disturbed areas’ under AFSPA.
Political storm over violence
Amid tension, political storm erupted after BJP lashed out at state’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee, saying that her government is “incapable” of handling the situation.
“Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear amongst other Communities of our Society,” leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X.
“Public property was destroyed, Government Officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created, all under the false guise of dissent. The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening,” he added.
‘A truly pathetic state of affairs’
‘ Mamata handed Bengal to Jihadis’
West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar alleged that Mamata has handed over the state to “Jihadis” for vote bank politics.
“The situation is very terrible. The special bench of the High Court has given the verdict, and we welcome it. The situation has become like this because of Mamata Banerjee’s incompetence. The verdict of the High Court today is a big slap on Mamata Banerjee’s cheek that she is not ready to rule the state. She is not eligible to rule the state,” he said while speaking to ANI.
Security personnel stand guard after clashes following protests over the Waqf Act at Jangipur, in Murshidabad district. (Pic credit: PTI)
‘A truly pathetic state of affairs’
On Sunday, BJP’s Amit Malviya targetted Banerjee, saying that the morale of the West Bengal police has hit a new low, with senior officials struggling to maintain order amid a series of violent incidents and growing political pressure. In a post on X, Malviya claimed that during the recent violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal police officers refused to enter the riot-hit areas until the BSF arrived. He further alleged that the director general of police had to be physically present to coax officers into action.
“The morale of the West Bengal Police is at an all-time low, following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s repeated capitulation to rampaging Islamist mobs. In fact, they even refused to enter the riot-affected areas of Murshidabad until the BSF arrived. The Director General of Police had to be physically present to coax his own force into action. A similar situation occurred during the Sandeshkhali unrest, where the state’s top cop had to intervene personally—though the reasons were different then,” Malviya said.
“During the RG Kar protests, it was police officers who held press conferences and planted stories to shape the narrative. Every time Mamata Banerjee finds herself cornered, she uses the police as a political shield, as if no other TMC leader is willing—or perhaps even allowed—to defend her. The rest appear to be nothing more than clerks in Mamata Banerjee’s criminal empire,” he added.
Home secretary assures all assistance
Union home secretary Govind Mohan on Saturday assured all possible help amid violence in a video conference with the chief secretary and the director general of police of the state.
Mohan asked the high officials to keep a close watch on other sensitive districts also and take adequate steps.
He mentioned that the “Centre is also closely monitoring the situation and assured the state all possible assistance including deployment of additional manpower, if necessary.”
