‘Won’t implement Waqf Act, what’s riot about?’ says Mamata as 2 die in clashes

The Waqf (Amendment) Act will not be implemented in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reiterated on Saturday (April 12) as violent protests in the state, particularly in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district, left at least two persons dead.

Widespread violence in Jangipur

According to the police, a septuagenarian man and his son were found dead with multiple stab wounds at their home in Jafrabad of Dhulian, in the violence-hit Samserganj block. According to media reports, Hargobinda Das (74), and his son, Chandan (44), were hacked to death by “angry protesters” late on Friday night.

Large-scale violence was reported on Friday from Suti and Samserganj areas of the district during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Das family alleged that the miscreants looted their house and stabbed the father and son before leaving.

According to police, another person sustained a bullet wound at Dhulian earlier on Friday. However, media reports identified the firing spot as Sajur More in Suti, and the victim as Ijaz Momin (21). He reportedly succumbed to his injuries at Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital later, though the police did not confirm it. Both Dhulian and Suti are in Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad.

Also read: Waqf Act riots in Murshidabad: Mamata appeals for peace in Bengal

118 people arrested

So far, 118 people have been arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in the district on Friday, according to police.

“Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So, the answer you want should be sought from the central government,” the CM said in a post on X.

“We have made our position clear on this matter — we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So, what is the riot about,” Mamata asked.

Another incident of firing

Her remarks came as fresh violence was reported from Dhulian, where one person suffered a bullet injury.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, ADG (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim said the details of the incident are not available yet. He said the local police may not have been involved in the incident of firing, and that “this could probably be from the BSF end”.

Following Friday’s violence, the BSF was deployed in a few areas of the district, which shares a border with Bangladesh. “These are early reports that we need to cross-check,” he said.

The injured person was admitted to a hospital and is out of danger, he added.

Also read: Waqf protests: Over 100 arrested for Murshidabad violence

Young men falling prey to ‘lies’

Shamim said that on Friday, four rounds were fired by the police to control the violence in the district.

“In that firing, two persons were injured and are under treatment,” he said, maintaining that young men were falling prey to “lies”.

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 during protests over the new legislation on Friday.

Triggered by ‘unsubstantiated rumours’

Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar said strong action would be taken against those resorting to violence, and the men in uniform will do everything in their power to protect the lives and properties of innocent citizens.

“The unfortunate incident that happened this (Saturday) morning may have been triggered by unsubstantiated rumours being spread from various quarters. I urge the people not to pay heed to such provocations, which are clearly the handiwork of miscreants,” he said.

“This is a fight between good and evil. Rumour mongering has to be stopped. We will request people not to take the law and order into their own hands. We assure them that the police will take the strongest measure against the culprits and protect the lives and properties of the common people,” he said.

Also read: Situation in Murshidabad peaceful, internet services suspended

Mamata appeals for peace

The chief minister urged people to maintain calm and not fall prey to provocation.

“My sincere appeal to people of all religions — please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said.

“We do not condone any violent activity. Some political parties are trying to misuse religion for political gain. Do not give in to their persuasions. I think religion means humanity, goodwill, civilisation and harmony. I appeal to everyone to maintain peace and harmony,” she said.

Suvendu seeks NIA probe

Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, meanwhile, wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the vandalism of railway property in Murshidabad district.

“Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, but rather a premeditated act of violence, an assault on democracy and governance by Jihadist forces who seek to spread chaos in order to assert their dominance and sow fear among other communities of our society,” he claimed in a post on X.

“Public property was destroyed, government officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created, all under the false guise of dissent,” he added.

Also read: Waqf Act won’t be executed in Bengal; I’ll protect your property: Mamata

Diverting focus from school jobs issue: BJP

State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar urged the TMC government to strictly enforce the rule of law in Murshidabad and accused the administration of choosing to look the other way as “Hindus are coming under attack”.

Asserting that if the BJP comes to power in West Bengal, “such vandalism by a section of minorities will be crushed in five minutes”, he alleged that the “appeasement-driven state administration was not taking appropriate steps”.

Majumdar, the Union Minister of State for Education, claimed that the violence might have been orchestrated to divert focus from the spontaneous protests over the Supreme Court invalidating the jobs of 26,000 school teachers.

“Hindus believe in the true concept of secularism, pluralism, as they are peace-loving and non-violent. But if efforts are made to drive out the Hindus from certain pockets in Murshidabad where Muslims are the majority, ordinary people of Bengal, Hindus of Bengal will turn around to save their dignity, honour and identity,” he said.

State BJP chief addresses ‘ordinary Muslims’

Majumdar told reporters that 10 police personnel were injured and the BDO office was vandalised by a mob, as the “appeasement-driven state administration did not take appropriate steps”.

Majumdar trashed a perception among a section of protesters that places of minority religious worship will come under the purview of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, saying, “I can assure you any such information is false and misleading.”

Majumdar also called upon “ordinary Muslims to be wary of the influential leaders of the community belonging to TMC occupying Waqf properties in an unauthorised manner”. “These rich people are using you and looting you as you (ordinary Muslims) reel under poverty and lack of education due to the wrong policies of the state government,” he said.

Also read: Mamata says efforts being made to 'provoke riots', urges public to resist these attempts

Don’t fall into traps: Kunal Ghosh

Countering the BJP’s narrative, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh told reporters that “certain vested interests” were trying to instigate some people.

“Don’t fall into their trap. They want to play with your emotions to suit their political agenda,” he said, and called upon people of every community to maintain peace and amity, which had been the long-cherished tradition of West Bengal for years.

He said the violence has been plotted by certain vested interests and agencies to create instability in Bengal.

(With agency inputs)