A view of a damaged house after a protest over the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent on April 8, 2025, in Murshidabad’s Jangipur area, on April 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI
“At least 22 people were apprehended following an incident of violence and arson during a protest rally against the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, at West Bengal’s Murshidabad on Tuesday (April 8, 2025),” a police officer said on Wednesday (April 9, 2025.)
The District Magistrate of Murshidabad Rajarshi Mitra passed a 48-hour Prohibitory Order on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) evening under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for the areas under the Raghunathganj and Suti police stations of Murshidabad. It prohibits the assembly of five or more people in one place.
The order is effective from 6 p.m. Tuesday (April 8, 2025) to 6 p.m. on Thursday (April 10, 2025). Similarly, West Bengal Home Secretary Nandini Chakraborty on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) passed an order suspending internet services in the Jangipur Sub Division area in Murshidabad from Tuesday (April 8, 2025) till 6 p.m. on Friday (April 11, 2025).
On Tuesday evening, violence erupted when around a hundred protesters, sloganeering against the Act, clashed with the police in the area adjoining the Umarpur crossing under the Raghunathganj police station along National Highway 12.
“The protesters got into physical altercations with the police, allegedly pelted stones, and vandalised multiple police vehicles,” a police officer said. Two police vehicles were allegedly torched, and multiple personnel were left injured in the clash.
“The police reportedly lobbed tear gas shells and resorted to lathi charge. By late evening on Tuesday (April 8, 2025), normalcy was restored in the area and traffic movement resumed,” West Bengal police said on social media.
With Prohibitory Orders in place, the Jangipur area remained quiet and deserted on Wednesday morning (April 9, 2025), with frequent patrolling by police personnel. Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose posted on his social media handle on Tuesday night condemning the violence at Murshidabad.
The post, made by the Officer on Special Duty on the Governor’s behalf, said he has directed the Government to take immediate ‘bold action’ to curb the violence and submit a report.
“The situation where vested interests foment trouble cannot be tolerated and should be curbed. The peaceful passage of Shri Ram Navami festivities show the camaraderie among people of Bengal and the competence of the administration, the political parties, the silent majority, the media and all stakeholders. Any attempts to frustrate that needs to be put down with an iron hand,” the social media post read.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also addressed concerns around the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, during an event in Kolkata on Wednesday (April 9, 2025.)
“I know minorities are upset about Waqf property. But have faith, nothing will happen in Bengal along the divide-and-rule policy. Everyone has to live and let live in peace. Please don’t get restless. Look at the situation at the Bangladesh border. Acting hurriedly might lead to problems. It is difficult for us too, because we have a 33% minority population in West Bengal since India’s freedom. It is our duty to protect you. Many people are politically provoking you to assemble and lodge a movement. I will appeal to you to not do it. Please remember that when Didi is here, Didi will protect you and your property,” she said.
Published – April 09, 2025 01:18 pm IST
