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200+ Arrested in Murshidabad Violence Over Waqf Act
The situation in West Bengal's Murshidabad district has remained peaceful for the past 36 hours, according to state police officials. Over 200 individuals have been arrested in connection with the recent violence triggered by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Bill.
“Our main priority is to restore normalcy. No incidents have been reported in the last 36 hours,” said Jawed Shamim, Additional Director General (Law and Order), during a press briefing on Sunday (14 April), as reported by The Hindu.
Shamim confirmed that several FIRs have been registered in relation to the violence that erupted on 11 and 12 April. He also noted that the return of displaced families has begun. At least 19 people have returned to their homes in Murshidabad from Malda district, where they had taken shelter.
Approximately 100 to 200 families reportedly fled the violence by crossing a river and sought refuge at a school in Baishnabnagar, located in the adjoining Malda district. Opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have claimed that the actual number of displaced residents could be closer to 400.
Commenting on the possible involvement of banned organizations like the Popular Front of India (PFI), Shamim said investigations are underway to verify such claims.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by law enforcement due to the scale of the unrest. “Several events and festivals were observed peacefully in recent weeks. However, the sudden and large-scale mobilisation on 11 and 12 April meant that we could not respond with equal intensity across all affected areas,” Shamim explained.
The ADG also condemned the lynching of two members of the same family in Dhulian, calling it a “heinous crime,” and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Three people lost their lives in the violence on 12 April, and at least 18 policemen sustained injuries during the clashes.
Security has since been ramped up in Murshidabad, with central armed police forces carrying out route marches to instill confidence among residents. Inspector General of the CRPF, Virendra Kumar Sharma, has been deployed to oversee the situation alongside senior state police officials.
Authorities remain hopeful that peace and order will be fully restored in the coming days.