Over 110 Arrested in Murshidabad After Violent Protest Over Waqf Act
More than 110 people have been arrested in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district following violent clashes during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Police confirmed that the unrest also affected Malda, Hooghly, and South 24 Parganas districts, where demonstrators resorted to arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades.
The epicentre of the violence remained in Murshidabad’s Suti and Samserganj areas. According to police officials, 70 people were arrested in Suti and another 41 in Samserganj. No fresh incidents were reported as of Saturday morning, but the situation remains tense.
In a bid to restore order, the administration has imposed prohibitory orders in affected areas and suspended internet services in Murshidabad. Heavy police deployment and continuous patrolling have been initiated in sensitive zones.
“Patrolling in Suti and Samserganj areas is going on. Nobody is allowed to regroup anywhere. We will not allow any attempt to disrupt the law and order situation,” a senior police officer said. Authorities have urged the public not to fall for rumours circulating on social media.
A teenage boy was reportedly injured in police firing during the clashes in Suti. He has been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata for treatment. Officials have not yet commented on the circumstances of the alleged firing incident.
The incident has triggered sharp political reactions. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the Mamata Banerjee-led state government of inaction and alleged that the violence was a “premeditated act.”
“This was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces,” Adhikari said in a post on X. “Public property was destroyed, government officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear was created, all under the false guise of dissent. The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening.”
The Waqf (Amendment) Act has drawn criticism from several quarters in West Bengal, especially among Muslim-majority areas, who claim the law undermines community control over waqf properties. Protests in recent weeks have grown more intense, culminating in Friday’s widespread unrest.
While law enforcement continues its crackdown on those involved in the violence, political observers suggest further tensions may arise if the issue is not addressed with transparency and dialogue. The state government is yet to issue an official statement addressing the violence or outlining measures to prevent recurrence.
