North India Statesman
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Violence has spread amid protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district of West Bengal. To bring the situation under control, now five companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed. This central force has been deployed following the order of the Calcutta High Court, which is handling the situation with the state police.
BSF IG South Bengal Frontier Karni Singh Shekhawat said that the force is working in cooperation of the state police and is also ready to send the force as required. He said, “We are here not for independent action, but for the support of the state police. The police demanded, we sent the force. We hope that peace will be restored soon.”
Court directive and situation reviews
On Saturday, a special bench of the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces immediately in view of the seriousness of violence in Murshidabad. Three people have lost their lives so far in the violence spread during the protest against the amendment of the Waqf Act, including a father and his son.
Given the seriousness of the violence, Governor CV Anand Bose has expressed concern and termed the High Court intervention as a fair step. At the same time, advocate Anish Mukherjee, who appeared on behalf of the Leader of Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari amidst the incidents of violence, told the court that there has been widespread violence in various parts of the state including Murshidabad for the last several days. The High Court has sought a detailed report on the situation from both the Mamta government and the central government. The next hearing of the case will be on 17 April.
Strict security arrangements in violence affected areas
Along with the deployment of BSF, the state police is also posted in sensitive areas of Murshidabad. Senior police officers visited the affected areas and conducted a flag march. Also, instructions were given to maintain peace by meeting with local authorities.
However, the local people have alleged that the administration did not give them any assistance at the time of the violence and the rioters entered their homes and looted them fiercely. He says that the police remained mute spectators.
More than 150 arrested, the situation is monitored
The DGP of West Bengal said that the situation is still tense but under control. He said that the situation is being monitored with the cooperation of BSF and so far more than 150 people have been arrested.
Significantly, the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 was implemented on 8 April. Protests against this suddenly took a fierce form, causing the situation to deteriorate and the state had to seek the help of central security forces.
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