3 die in Bengal clashes over Waqf; CM says law won’t take effect in state, HC orders CAPF deployment
Kolkata, Apr 12 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that the Waqf (Amendment) Act would not be implemented in the state, following violent protests in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district that left at least three people dead and several others injured.
Amidst growing unrest in pockets such as Suti and Samserganj, the Calcutta High Court, acting on a petition filed by Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, ordered the deployment of CAPF personnel in the affected areas.
A division bench, presided over by Justice Soumen Sen, observed that the court "cannot keep its eyes closed" when such situations arise, and stressed the need to provide adequate security to citizens.
The court also directed the Centre and the state to submit detailed reports on the situation before the next hearing on April 17.
At least three people, including a father-son duo, were killed, and over 138 arrested after protests turned violent in Suti and Samserganj blocks of Murshidabad.
In a bid to pacify the agitated protesters, the Chief Minister clarified that the law in question was legislated by the Centre and not by her government.
"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," Banerjee 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?" she asked.
In light of the escalating violence, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with the West Bengal Chief Secretary and DGP to review the situation.
The Home Ministry reiterated its concern over the law and order breakdown in Murshidabad.
Nearly 300 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel were already stationed in the district, and the Centre deployed five additional companies of central forces to help restore order.
In one of the most disturbing incidents reported so far, a father and son were found stabbed to death inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area.
Family members alleged that miscreants looted their home and then fatally attacked the two before fleeing.
In a separate incident, a 21-year-old sustained bullet injuries during clashes at Sajur More in Suti on Friday and succumbed to his injuries at the Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital on Saturday evening, the officer said.
Violence continued to flare in some areas on Saturday as well.
Two bidi factory workers, including a minor boy, sustained bullet injuries while on their way to work in Dhulian in Samserganj.
Both are being treated at the Murshidabad Medical College and are reportedly stable.
Additional Director General (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim told reporters in Kolkata that a total of 138 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest so far.
The violence, which erupted over the central government's Waqf (Amendment) Act, led to massive disruptions. Protesters torched police vehicles, blocked roads and vandalised railway property.
Train services in the New Farakka-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway were disrupted for nearly six hours between Dhuliandanga and Nimtita stations on Friday.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed in several parts of Murshidabad, and internet services have been suspended to prevent further escalation.
DGP Rajeev Kumar warned of stringent action against those involved in the violence.
"This is a fight between good and evil. Rumour mongering has to be stopped. We will request people not to take law and order into their 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.
Appealing for peace, CM Banerjee urged people across communities not to fall prey to provocation.
In a post on X, she wrote, "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."
Meanwhile, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari wrote to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, demanding a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the vandalism of railway property during the protests.
"Let it be known that this was not an act of protest, 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 amongst other Communities of our Society," Adhikari said in a post on X.
With Assembly polls a year away, political tempers flared on Saturday over reports of unrest in Murshidabad, as Bengal BJP chief and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the Mamata Banerjee government of failing to "protect Hindus" in Samserganj, Suti and Jangipur.
"The administration is looking the other way as Hindus come under attack. Once BJP is in power after next year's assembly polls, this vandalism by a section of minorities will be crushed in five minutes," Majumdar told reporters.
Hitting back, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said the opposition was trying to disturb communal harmony for political gain.
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Army orders inquiry after university professor claims assault by troops in J-K's Rajouri
Rajouri/Jammu, Apr 18 (PTI): The Indian Army on Friday ordered an inquiry after a university professor accused the troops of assaulting him during checking of vehicles at a village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, officials said.
Police have also registered an FIR against unidentified army personnel, they said.
Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti condemned the incident and said “such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour”.
The professor, Liaqat Ali, suffered head injuries in the alleged assault near the border village of Laam late on Thursday night. A video purportedly showing the bleeding professor has surfaced online.
“An incident has come to light wherein certain individuals were allegedly manhandled by army personnel in Rajouri district. The army had inputs on the likely movement of terrorists in a vehicle in this sensitive area. Accordingly, search operations were being conducted.
“Preliminary information suggests that on being stopped, the individual tried to snatch weapons from the soldiers on duty, with whom he got into a scuffle. However, an inquiry has been initiated. Should any personnel be found guilty of misconduct, strict action will be taken in accordance with the existing law,” the army said in a statement in Jammu.
It said the army remains steadfast in upholding the highest standards of professionalism and discipline in the conduct of counter-terror operations.
“All sections of society are requested to continue to cooperate and collaborate with the Indian Army for collective and comprehensive security in this sensitive area,” the statement said.
The alleged incident took place when Ali and some of his relatives, including his cousin brothers serving in the army and ITBP, were returning to Kalakote after attending the pre-wedding ceremony of one of their relatives.
Officials said an FIR under Sections 126(2) dealing with crime of wrongful restraint and 115(2) -- voluntarily causing hurt -- of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the Nowshera police station against unidentified army personnel for a thorough investigation.
Ali, a professor at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) posted in Delhi, wrote a post on X claiming he was "assaulted" without any reason.
“My entire family is in the army. I've always been proud of that. Proud of the uniform, the service, the sacrifice. But today, what I experienced shook that pride to the core. Without any reason, without any question, I was assaulted -- hit on the head with a weapon by the very people I once trusted blindly," Ali said in the post that also had a picture showing him bleeding.
“It made me realise one terrifying truth: if the system chooses to, it can 'encounter' any human being -- without evidence, without trial, without justice. There's no apology that can undo this wound. Only one haunting question remains -- has justice now become the privilege of the uniform alone?” the professor wrote.
Ali got nearly half-a-dozen stitches to close his wound besides undergoing necessary tests at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu.
“I was sitting inside the vehicle when army personnel came and asked for my identity. I came out of the vehicle as a matter of respect to show my identity card but they started beating me with their weapons,” the professor told reporters.
He said he saw his younger brother, who is in ITBP, also knocked to the ground along with him.
“The army is our country’s pride… I want nobody to be treated like this and justice be given to me,” Ali said.
Mehbooba Mufti, in a post on X, urged the army to take immediate and strict action against those responsible for this “shocking incident”.
“Such individuals tarnish the reputation of a respected institution through their unacceptable and high-handed behaviour,” she said.
Former J-K BJP president Ravinder Raina assured the professor of justice and said “law of the land is supreme and nobody in India is above the law. Whosoever made it happen, have to face the consequences...”
Deeply disturbing visuals have emerged from Lam in Nowshera where army personnel were seen mercilessly assaulting Professor Liyaqat Chowdary. The professor accompanied by his brothers was en route to attend his sister’s wedding when the incident occurred. This shocking act has… pic.twitter.com/q7WQM5MAFU
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 18, 2025
