Murshidabad tense after violence over Waqf law, 3 deaths

New Delhi, Apr 13: The situation in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district remains tense after violent protests over the new Waqf Amendment Act resulted in the deaths of at least three people. In response, the Border Security Force (BSF) announced on Sunday that it has deployed five additional companies to the region, in addition to already four companies present in the area. The security forces are working to restore peace and prevent further outbreaks of violence. The unrest began following protests against the Waqf law, which escalated quickly and turned violent. According to officials, the victims were caught in clashes that erupted during the protests.

Security forces have been positioned in sensitive areas of the district, and more reinforcements have been brought in as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile on Saturday, the Calcutta High Court intervened, ordering the immediate deployment of Central Armed Forces in Murshidabad. The court noted that the West Bengal government’s response had not been effective in containing the violence and said that urgent and decisive action was necessary. A bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury stated that the court could not remain a silent observer while the safety and security of citizens were under threat as reported by Bar and Bench.

The court emphasised that the earlier deployment of central forces might have prevented the situation from escalating. It directed the Central Armed Forces to work alongside the local civil administration to stabilize the area and ensure law and order is maintained. The court also said the deployment should not be limited to Murshidabad alone. If similar violence occurs in other districts, the central forces should be deployed there immediately as well. The order followed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and opposition leader in the West Bengal assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, along with a lawyer named Tarun Jyoti.

In the PIL, the petitioners argued that the presence of central forces was essential to prevent further escalation and protect civilians. However, the West Bengal government opposed the plea, claiming it was politically motivated. They stated that the administration had already taken steps to control the violence, including arresting 138 people and deploying six BSF companies. Despite the state government’s position, the court found that there was still internal disturbance in some parts of the state. It ordered the continuation of central force deployment and asked the state government to submit a detailed report outlining the actions taken in response to the court's directives.

The court stated that this interim security arrangement would remain in place until April 17, 2025. All parties involved have been asked to file their affidavits before that date, when the court will review the matter again. As of now, normal life in Murshidabad remains disrupted, with shops closed and residents wary of further violence. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely while central and state forces maintain a strong presence in the area.