KOLKATA: Nine people, including four cops, were injured in stone-pelting and two police vehicles were torched when a group of people protesting against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned violent at Umarpur in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday.
The protesters, who blocked NH-12 in Jangipur, clashed with police after being asked to clear the road. A police officer said 18 people had been detained in connection with the violence.
A large number of people had assembled near the PWD office earlier in the day, demanding withdrawal of the waqf act, and soon blocked the NH. When cops tried to lift the blockade, stones and bricks were thrown at them. Windows of some vehicles were shattered. Two police vehicles were also set on fire.
In a statement later, police said the situation was under control and traffic movement on NH was normal. “Strict action will be taken against those who resorted to violence. Legal action will be initiated against rumour mongers trying to spread misinformation,” the police statement added.
‘Situation under control’
A senior police officer confirmed that no untoward incidents were reported through the day. Prohibitory orders continued to be in force around the Raghunathganj and Suti police station areas, with a large deployment of security personnel in all sensitive zones, especially near Jangipur town, which had witnessed large-scale protests on Tuesday.
To prevent the spread of misinformation, internet services remained suspended in the Jangipur sub-division.
“The situation is calm, peaceful and under control. There has not been a single untoward incident. Prohibitory orders will remain in place till 6 pm on April 10 (Thursday), and the internet suspension will continue till 6 pm on April 11 (Friday),” the officer said.
On Tuesday afternoon, hundreds had gathered along NH-12 in the Jangipur area demanding a rollback of the Waqf Bill. The protest turned violent, with protesters allegedly hurling stones at the police. A few police vehicles were reportedly set on fire, prompting the police to resort to lathi-charge and use of tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several police personnel sustained injuries in the clash.
Authorities said a few people had been detained in connection with the violence and that legal action would follow.
In a statement on X, the West Bengal Police said the situation had returned to normal. “The unruly mob has been dispersed. Traffic has returned to normal on the national highway. Strict action will be taken against those who resorted to violence. Legal action will also be initiated against rumour-mongers. We urge everyone to remain calm and not fall for misinformation,” it said.
‘Bold action will be taken’: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose strongly condemned the violence and directed the state government to take “bold action” and submit a report. “Attempts to disturb the law and order situation should be put down with an iron hand,” he said. “The peaceful passage of Ram Navami festivities shows the camaraderie among the people of Bengal and the competence of the administration. Any attempt to frustrate that needs to be curbed.”
Mass Education extension minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury, who also heads the West Bengal Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, criticised the police action. “Even during the Left rule, police never baton-charged minorities. If someone has resorted to violence, action must be taken. But resorting to lathi charge on a rally is unacceptable,” the senior TMC leader said.
‘Law and order crumbling’
The opposition BJP targeted chief minister Mamata Banerjee over the violence. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar alleged the law and order situation was “crumbling” under her rule and accused her of “minority appeasement”. “West Bengal, once safeguarded by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, is now bleeding under Mamata Banerjee,” he said, calling her “India’s most failed CM”.
The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Thursday and by the Rajya Sabha in the early hours of Friday following marathon debates. President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent on Saturday.
The Act seeks to streamline the management of Waqf properties—assets donated permanently by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes—by safeguarding heritage sites, promoting social welfare, enhancing transparency, and strengthening coordination between Waqf boards and local authorities.
