Murshidabad Tense After Waqf Act Protests Turn Violent; Two Dead, Over 100 Arrested

West Bengal's Murshidabad district is still tense after violent altercations brought on by demonstrations against the Waqf Act. The violence that broke out in Samserganj has claimed two lives, according to police, and the unrest is still going on Saturday. The deaths were confirmed by law enforcement sources, according to news agency PTI.

Following massive demonstrations on Friday, the situation worsened, leading West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to make clear her government's stance. Banerjee claimed that the Waqf law was passed by the federal government and would not be implemented in the state, in response to criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding her purported inaction.

"Approximately ten police officers were injured in a violent altercation that started when protesters threw stones at a police van," the officer stated.

After protesters allegedly threw explosive-like objects, police had to lathi-charge the crowd to restore order before using tear gas shells. According to reports, during the clashes, some officers were forced to seek shelter in a nearby mosque. To control the situation, the district administration also turned to the Border Security Force (BSF).

The disturbances continued on Saturday in Dhulian, Samserganj, where one person was shot during ongoing demonstrations.

Political Responses

Sukanta Majumdar, the president of the West Bengal BJP, called on the state government to take decisive action to stop the violence. "Such vandalism by a section of minorities will be crushed in five minutes when the BJP comes to power in West Bengal," Majumdar said, criticizing the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

He also claimed that the state government was purposefully avoiding taking decisive action to bring order back to Murshidabad, accusing it of appeasement politics.