News Brief
West Bengal: Three Killed In Violent Protests Against Waqf Amendment Act, Calcutta HC Orders CAPF Deployment In Murshidabad
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At least three people were killed and dozens, including police personnel, injured in violent protests that erupted over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad, Hindustan Times reported.
As clashes spilled into Saturday, the Calcutta High Court ordered immediate deployment of Central forces to bring the situation under control.
According to police, Friday night’s violence in Murshidabad claimed three lives.
Among the victims were Haragobindo Das (65) and his son Chandan Das (40), reportedly dragged from their home and killed in Samserganj.
Izaz Ahmed Sheikh was hit by a bullet as police opened fire in Suti on Friday, India Today reported.
Violence escalated across Suti, Samserganj, and Dhuliyan as mobs torched vehicles, stormed homes, and fought pitched battles with police.
Authorities have arrested more than 138 individuals so far.
Videos of a mob attacking the block development office in Jalangi and ransacked office of a railway gateman in Azimganj surfaced on social media.
Rioters could be seen in video clips looting an outlet of a retail chain.
The Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of central forces not just in Murshidabad but in any other district where similar violence is reported, criticising the state’s delayed response.
Calling the situation “grave and volatile,” the HC said the constitutional cannot remain passive when public safety is at risk. It ordered the state to file detailed reports on the violence by 17 April.
Governor CV Ananda Bose welcomed the court’s move, describing it as both timely and necessary for restoring peace and order.
The BJP accused the ruling Trinamool Congress of encouraging lawlessness for vote-bank politics.
TMC hit back, alleging the Opposition was politicising the issue and exploiting religious sentiments.
The Union Home Ministry has deployed additional BSF companies and held high-level discussions with the state administration.
Further, BSF personnel have been tasked with assisting local authorities in restoring calm.
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari petitioned for an NIA investigation into the Murshidabad violence, alleging that a particular community was being targeted.
