Murshidabad violence: Over 200 arrested, tension surfaces at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas

IANS April 14, 2025 302 views

West Bengal is experiencing significant unrest following protests over the new Waqf Amendment Act, with police arresting over 200 individuals across Murshidabad and Malda districts. Tensions have escalated, particularly in minority-dominated regions like Bhangar, where protesters blocked highways and clashed with law enforcement. The state police claim the situation is stabilizing, though internet services have been temporarily suspended to prevent rumor mongering. Local political leaders like AISF's Nausad Siddique argue the protests are linked to broader public discontent over recent job cancellations.

"The situation is fast becoming normal" - Javed Shamim, ADG Law & Order
Kolkata, April 14: The total number of arrests in connection with the violence in pockets of the Murshidabad district of West Bengal has crossed 200, informed a senior official of the state police on Monday.

Key Points

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Over 200 arrested in Murshidabad district following religious tension

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Internet suspended to prevent rumor spread

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AISF protesters block Basanti Highway in South 24 Parganas

Several areas in the district witnessed violent protests over the newly-promulgated Waqf (Amendment) Act last week, with Hindus being subjected to targeted violence in particular.

Confirming that the arrests on this count have crossed 200, Additional Director General (law & order) of state police Javed Shamim said the situation in the troubled pockets both in Murshidabad and Malda districts is more or less normal now

“The route marches in the troubled areas are being conducted continuously. Senior police officials are there at the spot. The situation is fast becoming normal. The shops and establishments have started opening,” he said.

However, he added that there are attempts to spread rumours about the situation by some vested interests from other states and to prevent that spreading of rumours, Internet services have been suspended for the time being in certain areas.

He also said that the process of ensuring the return of the displaced persons to their homes has already started.

In the meantime, tension surfaced at the minority-dominated Bhangar Assembly constituency in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Monday afternoon.

Clashes broke out between the cops and the supporters of All India Secular Front (AISF) from Bhangar after the latter were stopped from approaching the venue of their protests at Kolkata against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The AISF supporters blocked the Basanti Highway in protests, following which the traffic movement there got heavily disrupted. The AISF activists refused to refrain from blocking the highways despite repeated requests from the police.

The AISF legislator from Bhangar, Nausad Siddique, who is his party’s lone representative in the state Assembly, said the police are mainly responsible for spreading tension over the Waqf issue.

“This is just to divert attention from the public unrest over the recent cancellation of 25,753 school jobs following an order of the Supreme Court. We were stopped unnecessarily, and the police deliberately did it to create tension. We will go the legal way in the matter,” he said.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
This is so concerning. Violence is never the answer, no matter what the issue is. Hope the situation stabilizes soon and people can return to their normal lives 🙏
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Priya M.
The internet suspension is worrying. While I understand it's to control rumors, it also cuts off people from emergency services and family. There must be a better way to handle this.
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Amit S.
Blocking highways is just making things worse for everyone. Protest if you must, but don't disrupt daily life for thousands of people who have nothing to do with this.
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Sunita R.
The police are doing their best in a difficult situation. We should support them instead of blaming them for everything. Stay safe everyone!
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Nikhil P.
While I don't condone violence, the government should have anticipated these reactions before implementing such sensitive changes. Better communication could have prevented this escalation.
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Fatima Z.
My cousin lives in Murshidabad and says the situation is much better today. Thankful for the police presence keeping things under control. Hope the displaced families can return home safely soon.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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Tags:
Murshidabad Violence West Bengal Protests Waqf Amendment Act Javed Shamim Nausad Siddique Religious Tension
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