Waqf protests turn violent in Bengal, father & son among 3 dead; 150 arrested

Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar warned of strong action against miscreants. Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, Jawed Shamim said police had to resort to firing to control the mob on Friday evening, adding that 15 police personnel were injured in the violence.

The Calcutta High Court, acting on a petition filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the affected areas. Calling the situation “grave and volatile”, the court said it “cannot turn a blind eye”.

A charred vehicle after violent clashes following protests over Waqf Act at Jangipur, in Murshidabad district, Saturday. (PTI Photo)

Amid the growing unrest, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with the West Bengal Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to review the situation. The Home Ministry reiterated its concern over the breakdown of law and order in Murshidabad. Additional Border Security Force (BSF) personnel have been deployed in the area.

Police said that while protests began in some districts soon after Parliament passed the Bill earlier, protesters turned violent in Murshidabad on Friday. According to police, a father and son, Hargobindo Das (72) and Chandan Das (40), were allegedly hacked to death by miscreants in Samserganj block of Murshidabad district. Another person, yet to be identified, succumbed to bullet injuries.

Prosenjit Das, a relative of the father and son who were killed, said: “A mob ran riot in the area. They entered the house, dragged both of them out and hacked them to death before looting the residence. Police took a long time to arrive. Before the mob came, I hid on the terrace of a separate house.

Additional Director General of Police Jawed Shamim confirmed the deaths.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar said: “We will not tolerate hooliganism. We will deal with it very, very strongly. Police use minimum force. But I want to make it clear — we will deal with the situation strongly.”

“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… Strong action will be taken against people who spread rumours,” the DGP said.

Shamim confirmed that police had to resort 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 teargas shells. But the mob started to ransack, set fire to public property and 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,” he said.

Prohibitory orders and an internet ban remained in place in various areas of Murshidabad. Train services were hit as protesters blocked the rail tracks.

The house of TMC MLA Manirul Islam and office of local TMC MP Khalilur Rehman in Murshidabad were also ransacked on Friday. “The mob pelted stones and ransacked my house. I was not at home. I went to talk with the agitators, but they heckled me,” Islam said.

Calling for calm, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a post 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 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.”

BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari said: “There is an attempt to change West Bengal to West Bangladesh. Mamata Banerjee should resign. The police are not acting. That is why Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of central forces.”