Two persons were killed and more than 110 people were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police told PTI.
On Friday, protests in Murshidabad's Suti area turned violent when demonstrators defied prohibitory orders, blocking roads, pelting stones at security personnel, and setting police vans and public buses ablaze during a procession, as per the reports.
At least 10 policemen were also injured while trying to control the mob.
Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas and Hooghly districts over the new legislation.
Father-Son Found Dead In Murshidabad Amid Riots
Two persons were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following violent clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
An IPS officer told PTI on Saturday that the victims, a father and son, were found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area.
According to him, both victims were found lying inside their home and were declared brought dead at a nearby hospital.
Their family alleged that miscreants looted their house and stabbed the two before leaving.
In a separate incident, another person sustained a bullet wound at Dhulian in Samserganj block earlier in the day, the officer said.
What Did The Police Say?
Citin official PTI reported that the situation in these violence-hit places remained tense on Saturday morning, but no untoward incident was reported.
"In the worst-hit Murshidabad district, prohibitory orders have been imposed and internet services suspended in places that saw violence, police said."
"About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence," he added.
Appealing to the people to not pay heed to "rumours on social media", police said, "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."
"About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence," a police officer said.
Raids were underway in all these districts, with over 110 arrested in Murshidabad, police said.
Meanwhile, a teenage boy who was injured allegedly in police firing during the clashes in Suti was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata, police said.
Opposition Attacked Mamata Banerjee Govt
The BJP attacked the Mamata Banerjee government, stating that if it was "incapable" of handling the situation, it should seek help from the Centre.
"Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on Democracy and Governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear amongst other Communities of our Society," Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said in a post on X.
"Public property was destroyed, Government Officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created, all under the false guise of dissent. The silence of the Mamata Banerjee Government is deafening," he said.
Adhikari said that those behind the violence must be identified, arrested and prosecuted under the strictest sections of law.
Waqf (Amendment) Act
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was recently passed by the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha after marathon debates in both Houses of Parliament.
The opposition parties protested against the bill by saying it was ‘discriminatory against Muslims’.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi criticised it, calling it an 'open attack on the Constitution'. But the BJP defended the bill, saying that the bill aims to bring transparency, reduce corruption and better manage Waqf properties.
