'Scale Of Mobilisation Was Very High': West Bengal Police On Murshidabad Violence, 200 Arrested After Three Fatalities

More than 200 individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the recent unrest and arson incidents in Murshidabad, West Bengal, after the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Indian Express reported.

The police are presently concentrating on reestablishing peace in the area, which continues to be tense since the violence on last Friday (11 April) night in the Murshidabad district, resulting in three fatalities.

West Bengal's Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order, Javed Shamim, is optimistic that “full normalcy would be restored soon” as “for the last 36 hours, there have been no reports of fresh violence."

During a press conference in Bhabani Bhawan on Monday, Shamim thanked the press, social media, and people for acting responsibly, along with the police, who helped in pacifying the situation soon after the violence.

A large number of First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered and the police acknowledged that 'the scale of mobilisation in violence was very high'. Shamim vowed 'stern punishment' against 'everyone involved in instigating an act of violence.'

He also claimed that 19 families, who left their homes after the violence, have returned, while efforts are on to bring back more families. However, internet suspension will continue to prevent rumour mongering.

"The biggest enemy to peace is rumour-mongering. The DGP is camping there, senior cops are all there on the ground. I appeal to people that we must be responsible and check facts before we corroborate them," Shamim requested.

Notably, there have been allegations that the police did not respond in time. Responding to this, he said, “The situation has been such that it is very normal for people to have grievances and allegations. We will look into each of them.”