murshidabad-protest-over-waqf-amendment-act-turns-violent

Suti in minority dominated Murshidabad district witnessed violent clashes on Friday as protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act turned tense and confrontational.

 

A procession, reportedly organised by members of the minority community, escalated into a conflict when bricks were allegedly hurled at the police, followed by the explosion of crude bombs.

 

Protesters have claimed that the police launched a lathicharge without provocation and used tear gas shells and stun grenades to disperse the gathering. In response to the escalating unrest, personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF) were deployed to the area, as it falls within 50 kilometers of the India–Bangladesh international border, making it a sensitive zone under their jurisdiction.

 

 

Railway officials said all express trains heading towards north Bengal through Murshidabad have been cancelled due to the unrest and tension.

 

Over the past several days, Murshidabad has been on edge, with multiple areas including Jangipur and Suti seeing rising tensions in response to the proposed amendments to the Waqf Act. On Friday, thousands of people from Suti and Shamsherganj joined demonstrations across the region.

 

The situation took a serious turn near Sajur Mor when demonstrators attempted to block National Highway No. 12. Police intervened to prevent the blockade, during which, according to police sources, several protesters threw crude bombs and pelted stones at police personnel. Multiple officers and local residents sustained injuries in the chaos.

 

In an attempt to restore order, the police resorted to lathicharge and lobbed tear gas shells to break up the crowd. Superintendent of Police for Jangipur police district, Anand Roy, confirmed that additional forces had been sent to the area. However, as late evening, the situation remained volatile.

 

Eyewitnesses report that multiple processions converged at Sajur Mor, and tensions rose as the demonstrators began obstructing the highway and allegedly attempted to vandalise parked vehicles. The police intervened to prevent escalation, which led to the violent outbreak.

 

The administration has issued repeated appeals for peace, urging protestors to express their concerns through lawful and non-violent means. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely.