Waqf protests: Murshidabad violence part of ‘larger consipracy’?
Smoke and flames billow out from a vehicle after it was set ablaze during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, in Murshidabad district of West Bengal | PTI
Even as the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party were involved in blame game over the violence in Murshidabad over protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the police claimed that the situation in the violence-hit areas was under control.
Three people have died and several others injured in the violence following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. More than 180 people have been arrested so far.
While the TMC accused the BJP of inciting the violence by sharing fake pics and videos, the saffron party alleged religious persecution of Hindus in the state.
However, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh made a sensational claim that the violence in Murshidabad was part of a larger conspiracy to destabilise the Mamata Banerjee government in the state.
"We are receiving some inputs that there was a larger conspiracy behind those incidents (Murshidabad violence). Some sections of central agencies, a section of BSF and a section of two or three political parties were involved in this conspiracy,” Ghosh told ANI. “With the help of a part of BSF, there was a gap in the border. Some miscreants entered, created chaos and were given safe passage to return....”
He added that the BJP and the opposition are trying to milk the situation for political gains, and that there is a deep-rooted conspiracy to malign West Bengal.
The situation in Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur in Murshidabad district was peaceful, a senior police officer told PTI, as prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita remained in force. Internet remained suspended in the affected areas while the BSF accompanied by state armed police and RAF continued to patrol the areas and check vehicles.
At least 18 police personnel were injured in the clashes and are undergoing treatment, he told PTI.
The Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district to assist in restoring normalcy.
Several vehicles, including police vans, were set ablaze, houses and shops vandalised, and stones pelted at security forces during the rampage.
India