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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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
