Murshidabad: Tensions ran high in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday as protests against the amended Waqf law turned violent for the second time in a week, leading to large-scale unrest in the Jangipur region. Protesters torched a police jeep, ransacked several vehicles, disrupted railway services, and vandalized the office of local Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Khalilur Rehman. In response, prohibitory orders were imposed, internet services suspended, and Border Security Force (BSF) troops deployed to restore order.
The protest erupted near the Shajurmore crossing in Jangipur, where around 5,000 people blocked National Highway 12 and squatted on railway tracks between Dhulianganga and Nimtita stations. The agitation quickly escalated when stones were pelted at the police as they attempted to disperse the crowd, prompting protesters to set a police vehicle and a motorbike ablaze. Multiple railway gates were damaged, disrupting train movement and forcing Eastern Railway to divert four express trains and cancel two passenger services.
Murshidabad District Magistrate Rajarshi Mitra confirmed that authorities were in the process of assessing the damage. “We are ascertaining the damages,” he told The Indian Express. A heavy police presence and BSF units were stationed in sensitive areas to control the situation and prevent further violence.
TMC MP Khalilur Rehman, whose office in Dhulian was attacked, claimed a “deep conspiracy” was underway to malign the state government. “There were no flags or leaders among the protesters. I was travelling through the area when I was stopped by agitators. Police had to escort me out,” Rehman said.
DIG PRO (South Bengal Frontier) Nilotpal Kumar Pandey confirmed that BSF troops were deployed on the request of the Murshidabad administration to support local law enforcement.
The unrest had earlier flared up on April 8 when protestors blocked NH-12 at Umarpur and set police jeeps on fire. In light of the repeated violence, Governor CV Ananda Bose issued strict directions to the state government to take immediate action. He also held discussions with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee about the deteriorating situation in Murshidabad and nearby districts.
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari blamed the ruling party for the chaos. “Hooligans in the name of agitation are creating unrest across the state, and the Chief Minister, who is also the home minister, must take responsibility. The police are mere bystanders,” he said after visiting the violence-hit areas in Mothabari.
The protests are part of a growing outcry against the recently amended Waqf law, which has triggered political and communal tensions in parts of Bengal. With high security measures now in place and prohibitory orders active, authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further escalation.
