Violence broke out in West Bengal's Murshidabad district while protesting against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, and there was widespread mayhem and police action. The protests, which became violent in places such as Jangipur, Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, witnessed protesters burning vehicles, including police vans, and throwing stones at security personnel. To bring things under control, the Bengal Police conducted raids in these districts, arresting more than 110 people in Murshidabad alone.
Details of Arrests
In Murshidabad's Suti, 70 individuals were arrested in relation to the violence.
Another 41 were arrested from Samserganj, taking the number of arrests in Murshidabad to more than 110.
In the Jangipur, 22 individuals were arrested, and eight of them were arrested and taken into police custody for investigation.
The situation there is charged, with prohibitory orders issued and internet services cut off to avoid the spread of misinformation. The police are on patrol in affected areas, cautioning against regrouping and advising citizens against falling victim to rumors on social media.
Government Response and Reactions
The state government, led by Mamata Banerjee, has come under fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for its response. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari denounced the violence as a "premeditated act of violence" to interfere with law and order. He urged those involved to be identified, arrested, and prosecuted under tough laws.
Aftermath and Current Situation
One teenaged boy, who was injured in the firing by the police during the riots in Suti, was hospitalized in Kolkata. The violence-plagued districts have a substantial Muslim population, which makes it more complex in nature. The police are still present in strong numbers in the region, endeavoring to revive peace and normalcy ¹ ².