The High Court was informed that the protest was connected to public anger over the newly amended Waqf law, which some people in the region strongly opposed.
KOLKATA: Today, 17th April, The West Bengal government has told the Calcutta High Court that the state police had to face a violent mob of around 10,000 people during protests over the amended Waqf law last week.
According to a detailed 34-page report accessed by NDTV, the violence broke out in Jangipur area of Murshidabad district, and the situation quickly went out of control.
The government report revealed that police officers had to rescue their own team members from the mob, which was carrying lethal weapons. During the clashes, three people lost their lives, the report stated.
The situation became serious when 4,000 to 5,000 protestors reportedly attacked the police and even snatched the service revolver of a senior officer, according to the report. It described how a large gathering of around 8,000 to 10,000 people started assembling at the PWD ground in Murshidabad.
Later, a section of this crowd broke away and nearly 5,000 of them moved towards Umarpur, where they blocked the National Highway, creating a major law and order issue.
The report mentioned: “The crowd became unruly and started using filthy language.” The situation worsened when they started pelting stones and bricks at the police.
Soon, a violent clash erupted between the protestors and police personnel.
The mob reportedly used wooden staves, hasua (sickles), and iron rods to attack the police.
In the middle of the chaos, the report noted: “The men snatched the Glock Pistol of the Sub-Divisional Police Officer which was loaded with 10 rounds of bullets.”
The report gave a disturbing account of how the violent mob not only attacked officers but also managed to seize loaded firearms from senior police officials. The police had to retreat and reorganize in order to protect themselves and others.
The High Court was informed that the protest was connected to public anger over the newly amended Waqf law, which some people in the region strongly opposed. The incident has now drawn serious attention from the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and political leaders across the state.
The statement was made during a hearing of a petition filed by Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who alleged that bomb blasts occurred during communal riots in Murshidabad, a district with a Muslim-majority population.
Adhikari urged the court to hand over the investigation to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for a more thorough and neutral probe.
During the hearing, the West Bengal government informed the division bench of Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury that the police and district administration have taken “adequate steps“ to control and prevent further violence in the region.
In another important submission, the lawyer representing the Central Government requested the court to extend the deployment of central forces in Murshidabad. The Centre expressed concern about the ongoing situation and prayed for additional time for the forces to remain there, citing the “sensitivity of the ground situation”.
Currently, 17 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) are stationed in Murshidabad’s violence-hit areas, particularly in Suti and Samserganj-Dhulian. These areas have seen significant unrest in recent days.
A separate petitioner also appealed to the High Court, requesting that the state government take action to ensure the return of people who were displaced due to the violence. Many people had to leave their homes to escape the tension and violence.
The state government responded to this request by informing the court that “some of the affected families have already returned to their homes“, indicating that resettlement efforts are already underway.
According to the petitioners, several people fled the violence in Murshidabad and took shelter in a relief camp set up in a school in the adjoining Malda district. The violence reportedly took place during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to serious unrest in the area.
As violence escalated,
“Some police personnel were compelled to take shelter in a nearby mosque amid the violence, as the district administration requested the BSF to intervene to restore normalcy,” another officer confirmed.
Later in the evening, the situation was brought under control.
“Things are under control now. There is heavy police deployment in the area. We are conducting raids to nab those behind today’s violence,” the officer told.
Due to the unrest, internet services remained suspended in affected areas like Jangipur, and prohibitory orders continued to stay in place.
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In Malda district, protesters blocked railway tracks, leading to a major disruption in train services. A group also attacked and vandalised a police vehicle during a protest in Amtala in South 24 Parganas.
The Eastern Railway confirmed that services were badly hit on the New Farakka-Azimganj section, due to
“obstruction and vandalism by a large group of people between Dhuliandanga-Nimtita stations.”
In the state capital Kolkata, students of Aliah University staged demonstrations at Park Circus. Rallies were also reported from the Khidirpur area.
Taking note of the unrest, Governor C V Ananda Bose gave strict instructions to the state government to take quick and strong action.
A senior Raj Bhavan official said:
“I have been receiving disturbing reports about some people taking law and order in their hands in some parts of West Bengal. Protest is welcome in democracy, but not violence. Public order cannot be disturbed and people’s lives cannot be tampered with in the name of protest. Strong action will be taken against the miscreants who think that they can take law in their hands,”
Governor Bose said in a video released by Raj Bhavan.
In addition to the event, Advocate Shashank Shekhar Jha has approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, asking for strong action regarding the recent violent incidents that happened in Murshidabad, West Bengal.
He has filed a petition seeking a proper and fair investigation into the matter. According to him, the situation in the area is very serious, and steps must be taken quickly to protect the lives of people and maintain peace.
