Aaj Ki Janta

Murshidabad, West Bengal – April 13, 2025: Violent protests over the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Act have engulfed West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, leaving three people dead and over 150 individuals under arrest. The situation remains volatile as security forces struggle to contain the unrest.

According to the Border Security Force (BSF), five additional companies have been deployed on Sunday to reinforce the four already on the ground. This rapid mobilization comes amid escalating tension and fears of further violence.

“Since yesterday, four companies have been deployed. Today, five additional companies have been deployed to control the situation and prevent any further violence,” said Nilotpal Kumar Pandey, BSF Deputy Inspector General and Public Relations Officer of the South Bengal Frontier.

The violence reached a critical point in Ghospara, where BSF personnel had to open fire to disperse a violent mob. “The situation turned extremely hostile. Our vehicles were torched, and some of our jawans sustained minor injuries during the clashes,” a senior BSF officer revealed, requesting anonymity. No civilian injuries were reported from the firing.

The areas of Suti and Samsherganj remain particularly tense. On Sunday, BSF personnel reported that a large crowd was seen marching towards Mahadevpur in Samsherganj, prompting an immediate and heavy deployment of forces.

BSF officials allege that their personnel were directly targeted in several instances, facing more resistance compared to local police, who managed to move through certain areas with relative ease.

In response to the spiraling violence, the Calcutta High Court intervened on Saturday, ordering the immediate deployment of central armed police forces in Murshidabad and other sensitive zones. “We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced, which prima facie show vandalism in a few districts of the State of West Bengal,” stated a bench led by Justice Soumen Sen.

The Waqf (Amendment) Act has sparked outrage among certain sections of the public, leading to this explosive situation. With security on high alert and the state under scrutiny, authorities remain focused on restoring order and preventing further escalation.