Murshidabad violence: Suspension of Internet services extended to Bengal's Malda, Birbhum

IANS April 14, 2025 745 views

Tensions continue to simmer in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following protests over the Waqf Amendment Act. Local authorities have strategically extended internet suspension to adjacent districts of Malda and Birbhum to prevent further spread of inflammatory content. Border Security Force personnel are actively monitoring the situation, particularly near international borders with Bangladesh. Approximately 500 families have been displaced and are currently seeking refuge in temporary relief camps, highlighting the significant human impact of these ongoing conflicts.

"The main headache of law enforcement is the spreading of fake information through social media" - State Police Insider
Kolkata, April 14: Amid the continuing air of tension in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, which has been on the boil for the last few days with violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the administration has decided to extend the suspension of Internet services to the adjacent districts of Malda and Birbhum.

Key Points

1

Internet suspension extended to control violent protests in Murshidabad

2

BSF monitoring border areas for potential escalation

3

Approximately 500 families displaced and seeking temporary shelter

4

Joint police patrols deployed to manage ongoing tensions

At the same time, some additional areas in the Murshidabad district have also been brought under the ambit of the suspension of Internet services. Earlier, the suspension of Internet services was enforced mainly in troubled areas like Suti, Jangipur, Dhulian, and Samserganj, among others, the areas that were most affected by violence and riot-like situations.

An insider from the state police said that although following the beginning of joint patrolling by the state police and the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel since Saturday night following an order of a special division bench of the Calcutta High Court, the situation in Murshidabad has come more or less unless control as of now. The main headache of the law enforcement authorities is the continuing spreading and sharing of fake information regarding the tension through different social media platforms.

The suspension of Internet service in the extended areas will be enforced till 10 p.m. on April 15. Whether the suspension will be lifted or not after that will be decided on the situation prevailing then.

Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF), whose personnel are mainly deputed to the troubled areas, will send a comprehensive report on the development following the visit of the BSF’s Additional Director General (Eastern Command) Ravi Gandhi to the troubled pockets.

During the visit, Gandhi will review the deployment of the BSF personnel in the region and also discuss with the senior officers of the state police how better coordination could be achieved on this count.

The BSF has also been alerted to ensure absolute security of the villages adjacent to the International Borders with Bangladesh in the Murshidabad and Malda districts, to ensure that members from underground extremist groups there cannot enter the Indian Territory and fuel the existing tension.

Meanwhile, as per the latest report available, almost 500 families from the different troubled pockets in the Murshidabad district are currently homeless and have taken shelter at a temporary relief camp at a school in the adjacent Malda district. These families are mainly from the Dhulian and Samserganj areas.

Reader Comments

A
Amit K.
This internet shutdown is affecting small businesses and students who need online access. While I understand the need to control misinformation, blanket bans hurt innocent people too. There must be a better way! 😕
P
Priya R.
Stay safe everyone in Murshidabad and nearby areas! The situation sounds really tense. Hope the joint patrolling helps bring peace soon. 🙏
R
Rahul S.
Fake news is such a huge problem during these situations. Maybe instead of shutting down internet completely, they could just restrict certain platforms? Just a thought.
N
Neha P.
My cousin lives in Malda and says the BSF presence is really helping people feel safer. Hope the situation improves soon for those 500 displaced families. Can't imagine how hard that must be.
S
Sanjay M.
The government needs to address why these tensions keep happening in the first place. Internet shutdowns are just treating the symptoms, not the disease. More dialogue is needed between communities.
T
Tanya G.
Does anyone know how we can help the families in the relief camps? Maybe organize donations of food or clothes? If anyone has info please share!

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

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Tags:
Murshidabad Violence West Bengal Protests Waqf Amendment Act Internet Suspension BSF Border Security
You May Like!