3 Dead, 150 Arrested in Murshidabad Anti-Waqf Protests; BJP Claims Hindu Fleeing Homes
At least three people were killed and 150 arrested in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent protests over the Waqf Act, prompting paramilitary deployment and a Calcutta High Court intervention
Tension gripped West Bengal’s Murshidabad district as security forces patrolled the streets following two days of violent protests triggered by opposition to the Waqf Act. The violence erupted after Friday prayers and led to widespread arson, looting, and clashes between groups. Authorities said 150 people have been arrested so far, and three people—including a father-son duo—were killed in separate incidents of mob violence and police firing.
The Calcutta High Court, noting the spiraling unrest, directed the deployment of central paramilitary forces in the most sensitive areas of the district. Prohibitory orders remain in force, and internet services have been suspended to curb the spread of misinformation.
Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the Mamata Banerjee government of appeasement politics, alleging that more than 400 Hindus have fled their homes in Murshidabad. BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato has written to Home Minister Amit Shah demanding the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in affected districts including Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and South 24 Parganas.
State BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar also welcomed the High Court order, blaming “incompetence” on the part of the state government. The party plans to observe ‘Shaheed Diwas’ in memory of the two Hindu victims and has promised to install their busts if it wins the Assembly elections next year.
According to state police, the situation has stabilised in violence-hit regions such as Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur. BSF DIG Nilatpal Kumar Pandey said, “We were forced to fire blanks after BSF troops were attacked with petrol bombs and stones. We are responding to distress calls from civilians.”
Over 300 BSF personnel, including five new companies, have been deployed, along with 23 senior police officers. The state’s top police officer, Rajeev Kumar, warned against rumour-mongering, calling it a major cause behind the escalation of violence.
Several locals told that no police personnel were visible during the worst of the violence on Friday. “Three hours of carnage unfolded with no security in sight,” said a resident of Suti. The Calcutta High Court observed that the unrest had spread beyond Murshidabad, with reports of clashes in North 24 Parganas and Hooghly’s Champdani.
Among the deceased, 17-year-old Izaz Ahmed Sheikh died after being shot during police action on Friday. Eighteen police personnel were also injured in the clashes.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appealed for peace, accusing “certain political parties” of stoking communal tensions. The state government has said more arrests are expected as investigations continue and vehicle checks are underway across affected zones.
As political temperatures rise in the run-up to state elections, the fallout from the Murshidabad violence is expected to shape the larger discourse around law and order in West Bengal.
