Over 110 arrested in Murshidabad in violence over Waqf Act, internet suspended, raids on in other districts: West Bengal police
Times of India | 12 April 2025
Murshidabad violence (Photo: PTI) KOLKATA: Over 110 people were arrested in connection with the unrest that erupted in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a demonstration against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police stated on Saturday.
Multiple vehicles, including police vans, were torched, projectiles were launched at security personnel, and thoroughfares were barricaded as disturbances engulfed Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts regarding the newly enacted legislation on Friday.
Police confirmed that operations were continuing across these districts, with more than 110 individuals apprehended in Murshidabad.
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"About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence," a police officer said.
The affected areas continued to experience tension on Saturday morning, though officials confirmed no adverse incidents occurred.
Authorities have implemented restrictive orders and suspended internet connectivity in violence-affected regions of Murshidabad district, which witnessed the most severe disturbances.
"Patrolling in Suti and Samserganj areas is going on. Nobody is allowed to regroup anywhere. We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation," an officer said, appealing to the people to not pay heed to "rumours on social media".
A teenage boy, who reportedly sustained injuries from police firing during the unrest in Suti, has been transferred to a Kolkata hospital for treatment.
The unrest occurred predominantly in districts with considerable Muslim populations.
The BJP criticised the Mamata Banerjee administration, suggesting that if they found themselves unable to manage the situation, they should request assistance from the Central government.
"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 said.
Adhikari demanded that authorities must identify, apprehend and bring legal action against the perpetrators of violence, ensuring they face the most severe penalties under the law.