Three people killed in Waqf protests in West Bengal; HC orders deployment of central forces

Three people were killed as violent protests continued in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Saturday against the controversial Waqf Amendment Act.

 

The victims—reportedly a father and son—were found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad in Samserganj area. Their family alleged that miscreants looted their house and stabbed the two before leaving.

 

Another person, who had sustained a bullet wound at Dhulian in Samserganj block earlier in the day, died in the evening.

 

Violence broke out in the Muslim-majority district on Friday, days after the contentious bill was passed by the parliament and got the approval of the President.

 

At least 118 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence. Police reportedly fired four rounds to bring the mob under control.

 

HC seeks report

 

Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court ordered deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district to assist in restoring normalcy.

 

A division bench, presided over by Justice Soumen Sen, also instructed both the state government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation.

 

The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17.

 

During the hearing on Saturday, the government told the court that seven companies of BSF have been deployed in strife-hit Suti, Dhuliyan and Samserganj areas of Murshidabad.

 

Mamata’s appeal for peace

 

As violence raged, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee took to social media urged people to maintain calm and not fall prey to provocation.

 

"My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said.

 

In a long post on X, she reiterated her opposition to the law and said it wouldn’t be implemented in West Bengal.

 

"Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," the CM said.

 

"We have made our position clear on this matter -- we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about," she asked.

India