KOLKATA: "They entered into our houses and vandalised everything," said a local vendor, as fear and uncertainty continue to loom over parts of West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The unrest has left three people dead, several injured, and hundreds displaced.
"We want security, nothing else. Our shops were vandalised... Where will we go, we have children and women in our families," the vendor told news agency, ANI expressing anguish over the destruction caused by mobs.
Echoing the same concern, another vendor said, "They burnt the shops and vandalised houses. We want BSF presence here permanently if things are to be peaceful. A police station is very close to here, but they didn't come."
PollDo you believe that the recent protests in West Bengal were justified?No, they were not justified.Yes, they were justified.
150 people arrested
150 people in connection with the violence have been arrested so far, and adequate police forces are deployed in Samserganj, Dhuliyan, Murshidabad, said West Bengal Police in a statement.
Murshidabad violence (Photo: PTI)
No fresh incidents were reported from the affected areas — Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj, and Jangipur — where prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force and internet services have been suspended.
Security forces are patrolling sensitive areas, checking vehicles, and maintaining a close vigil as raids continued through the night. A senior police officer said, "An investigation is underway into the incidents of violence. More arrests are likely."
On Friday, the district witnessed large-scale violence during protests over the new legislation. Police vans were torched, stones were hurled at security personnel, and roadblocks brought life to a standstill in several towns. Some clashes continued into Saturday.
In a gruesome incident, the bodies of Harogobindo Das and his son Chandan Das were found with multiple stab wounds at their residence in Jafrabad, Samserganj, on Saturday. Another victim, 21-year-old Ijaz Momin, succumbed to bullet injuries sustained during clashes at Sajur More in Suti.
At least 18 policemen were also injured in the violence. DGP Rajeev Kumar reached Samserganj on Saturday night to review the law and order situation and held a high-level meeting with local officers.
400 Hindus forced to flee: BJP
Amid the chaos, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, alleged that more than 400 Hindus had been "forced to flee" their homes due to religious persecution.
"More than 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad driven by fear of religiously driven bigots were forced to flee across the river & take shelter at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda," Adhikari posted on X, sharing photos and videos of displaced families.
One man in the video claimed his house was burned while police allegedly fled the scene. Adhikari urged security forces and local administration to ensure the safe return of the displaced families.
"I urge the Central Paramilitary Forces deployed in the District, the State Police and the district administration to ensure the safe return of these displaced Hindus & protect their lives from this jihadist terror. Bengal is burning. The social fabric is torn. Enough is enough," he said.
Adhikari also targeted the ruling Trinamool Congress, accusing it of "appeasement politics" that had allegedly emboldened radical elements.
"Religious persecution in Bengal is real. Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land! Shame on the State Govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order," he added.