Bengal Violence: 150 Arrested Amid Unrest In Murshidabad Over Waqf Act, BSF Deployed, To Assist Cops

As tensions escalate in West Bengal's Murshidabad amid violence over the amended Waqf law, the BSF has dispatched five companies to support state police operations and curb the unrest in the region.

Police and security personnel keep a vigil at an area amid protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, Saturday. (Photo: PTI)

Murshidabad Violence: Twelve more people were arrested in connection with the violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, where three people lost their lives, police said on Sunday, as reported by news agency PTI. No new incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the Muslim-majority district, with security forces keeping a close vigil, they said.

"The situation in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas of the district is peaceful. Raids continued overnight, and 12 more people were arrested. With this, 150 people have been arrested so far," PTI quoted a senior police officer as saying.

Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the violence-hit areas, and the internet has been suspended, he said. The security forces are checking vehicles on the main roads, and patrolling the sensitive pockets, he added. "An investigation is underway into the incidents of violence. More arrests are likely," the officer said.

Here Are Top Updates

1. Shekhawat reached the violence-hit area after the Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces in the affected area.

2. In a recent development, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose expressed concern over the riots in West Bengal's Murshidabad and said that he was glad that the Calcutta High Court stepped in and gave an appropriate decision.

3. Three persons, including a father-son duo, were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, an IPS officer said on Saturday.

4. The father-son duo — Harogobindo Das and Chandan — were found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area, he said. The third victim, identified as 21-year-old Ijaz Momin, sustained bullet wounds during clashes at Sajur More in Suti on Friday. "He succumbed to his injuries at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital on Saturday evening," the officer added.

5. The officer confirmed that post-mortem examinations had been conducted on the father and son.

6. On Saturday, a special bench of Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central forces "immediately" in Murshidabad in the wake of widespread violence in the district during the protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that have resulted in three deaths so far.

7. Advocate Anish Mukherjee, representing West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, who has filed a PIL seeking deployment of central forces and an NIA probe, said, "For several days now, we have been witnessing widespread violence throughout the state of West Bengal, particularly in the Murshidabad district."

8. The high court also instructed both the Mamata government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on April 17.

9. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked various parts of the state, particularly Murshidabad, during protests over the new legislation on Friday. Some flare-ups were also reported on Saturday.

10. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, came into force on April 8. After a 12-hour discussion, the Upper House cleared the bill with 128 members voting in favour, whereas 95 members voted against the legislation.

(With agencies Inputs)