Over 110 Arrested in Murshidabad Amidst Violent Clashes Over Waqf Act in West Bengal

Over 110 Arrested in Murshidabad Amidst Violent Clashes: Over 110 people were arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in the Muslim-dominated Murshidabad district of West Bengal during a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, police said on Saturday. Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly districts over the new legislation on Friday.

The Indian Railways cancelled two trains and diverted five more after protesters blocked the tracks and allegedly pelted stones targeting the trains. The protesters also blocked the highway at Suti and Samserganj, disrupting vehicular traffic. A local office of the Trinamool Congress was ransacked by the agitators, who also targeted the police personnel.

The police personnel fired tear gas shells and caned the protesters. Additional paramilitary forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

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“The situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur is now under control. The unruly mob has been dispersed by effective police action. Traffic has returned to normalcy on the national highway,” West Bengal police posted on X.

“Strict action will be taken against those who have resorted to violence. Raids are being conducted to arrest the troublemakers. Legal action will also be initiated against rumourmongers trying to spread misinformation.”

A statement issued by Eastern Railway said that around 5000 people obstructed train movement near Dhulianganga station on the Azimganj-New Farakka section of Eastern Railway. The mob blocked the line between Dhulianganga and Nimita stations, forcing the railways to divert or short-terminate several trains.

The protestors blocked the Kamakhya–Puri Express near Dhulianganga in the afternoon, delaying it. The train was later diverted via a different route after it was stranded for over 2 hours. Barharwa–Azimganj Passenger, Sahibganj–Azimganj Passenger, Nabadwip Dham Express, and Azimganj–Malda Town Passenger were among the other affected trains.

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Railway authorities said that all trains going towards north Bengal through Murshidabad have been either diverted or cancelled.

“Eastern Railway expressed deep concern for such obstruction to train movement, which not only affects the punctuality but also creates trouble for lots of passengers who are on board,” the statement said.

In response to the unrest, personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed to the area, as it falls within 50 kilometers of the India–Bangladesh international border. Murshidabad has been witnessing violence regularly in recent days in protests against the Waqf law.

Similar violence had erupted in Murshidabad on Tuesday too, as a Muslim mob had pelted stones and torched vehicles.

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