Over 110 Arrested Over Violent Clashes During Protest Against Waqf Act in Murshidabad

Bengal: Over 110 people have been arrested by the West Bengal Police in connection with the violent clashes that broke out in Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The unrest escalated into widespread violence, including incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and major road blockades. Prohibitory orders have been imposed in Murshidabad, and internet services have been suspended to prevent the spread of misinformation and further unrest.

“About 70 people were arrested from Suti, and 41 people from Samserganj in connection with the violence,” said a police official. Raids are ongoing across the affected regions as authorities continue to identify and detain those involved. Officials confirmed that the situation remains tense in Murshidabad, which was the worst affected. However, no fresh incidents of violence were reported as of Saturday morning.

Authorities stated that patrolling is ongoing in the Suti and Samserganj areas, with strict measures in place to prevent any regrouping. Residents have also been urged to avoid falling for rumours circulating on social media.

The situation has triggered political outrage, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) launching a scathing attack on the state government. BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari criticised the Mamata Banerjee administration for what he described as a failure to control the violence.

“If the state government is incapable of managing the situation, it should seek assistance from the Centre,” Adhikari stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He further alleged that the unrest was not a spontaneous outburst but a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state. “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,” he wrote. “Public property was destroyed, government officials felt threatened, and an atmosphere of fear and intimidation was created, all under the false guise of dissent. The silence of the Mamata Banerjee government is deafening,” Adhikari added.​