Riot victims’ kin file FIRs as cops battle rush of rumours
Times of India | 15 April 2025
Kolkata/Shamsherganj: More than 200 people have been arrested and 11 FIRs lodged till Monday about clashes that broke out since Friday after protests over the amended waqf law turned violent in parts of Murshidabad, claiming three lives. And even as no fresh flare-ups were reported, DGP Rajeev Kumar reiterated that the situation was "fully under control".
One of the FIRs was from Pompa Das, who complained against "unknown persons" over the murder of her husband, Chandan Das, and septuagenarian father-in-law, Hargobindo. The two men were murdered on Friday by a mob that dragged them out of their home in Jatrapara.
The biggest worry for police is how to overcome a wall of "deliberate and concerted" misinformation. WhatsApp forwards and social media posts with fake content are triggering distress calls to the Shamsherganj control room. The source of most of these fake posts is outside Bengal, police sources said.
"Do not believe the rumours," DGP Kumar said.
The rumours are only contributing to the sense of fear. "There is a group that's inciting youths here," said Hyder Ali, whose nephew Izaz Ahmed, 26, was killed on Friday. "For them, it's political gain, but we will have to pay with the blood of our kin," he said.
DGP Rajeev Kumar, who postponed his return to Kolkata, said: "We are setting up pickets wherever we have received reports that residents are still fearful. The life and property of everyone is our responsibility."
To curb the spread of misinformation, the internet suspension has been extended to pockets of Malda and Birbhum, contiguous to the strife-torn belts. "The Ganga divides the two districts, Murshidabad and Malda," ADG (law and order) Jawed Shamin said in Kolkata. "Often, the mobile tower being used is from Malda. Similarly, mobile phones are catching towers from Birbhum. This is aiding rumour-mongering. In one instance, multiple fake news of attacks were forwarded in the area when a peace meeting was ongoing late at night. In another case, there were claims of bombs being seized," the ADG said, explaining why the ban was extended.
"Rumour-mongering the biggest enemy of peace now," Shamim said. "A barrage of misinformation is being initiated by people from outside the state. Verification of facts is essential at a time when the DGP and other senior officers are on the ground, trying everything to control the situation. The ADG also said that a few locals had been served legal notices over this issue.
The cops also made it clear that they would make sure each person responsible for violence would be brought to book. "We will bring back all perpetrators, even from the depths of hell. No one who either abetted, was present during, or fuelled violence will be spared," Shamim said. "Whatever might be their status or position — political, religion or social — if they have broken the law, they will face the consequences."
Asked about the role of "outsiders", the ADG said there was "instigation". "The suspect profiles that our initial investigation have thrown up indicate this. The fact that there are some influencers who stoked violence after Friday after peace was established after a bout of violence on April 8 proves this."
ADG (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar said around 100 people would return home in the next two days. "There are police and central force camps to give them confidence. A special control room has been opened at Shamsherganj PS, and we are going to each spot from where complaints are pouring in," Sarkar said.
Top CAPF commanders are also camping at the spot. IGP CRPF Birendra Kumar Sharma reached Murshidabad on Monday and met the senior Bengal officers. BSF ADG (Eastern Command) Ravi Gandhi also reached Murshidabad and is visiting the affected areas. He also met DGP Kumar.
"Through this visit, ADG Gandhi gave a clear message that BSF would provide all possible help to the civil administration and police to restore peace soon," said a BSF spokesperson. "He said the safety of citizens was top priority. By visiting border areas of both districts that have an international border with Bangladesh, he has also worked to stop any attempts of taking advantage of the current situation."