Murshidabad remains calm, arrests climb to 221 in West Bengal

Amid the prevailing tensions and mounting arrests, residents of the affected areas demand permanent deployment of Central Armed Police Forces.

An uneasy calm prevailed in the violence-hit areas of Dhulian and Shamsherganj in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Tuesday (April 15, 2025), with no fresh incidents reported for the past three days. While some shops opened on the occasion of Poila Baisakh (Bengali New Year), public activity remained subdued.

Many residents who fled their homes and took shelter across the river in adjoining Malda district have reportedly not yet returned, despite assurances from the police administration.

Also Read | Violence rocks Bengal’s Bhangar over Waqf Act

Meanwhile, arrests continued, bringing the total number detained in connection with the recent Murshidabad violence to 221. Inspector General of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested Kalu Nadaf and Dildar Nadaf for the alleged murder of Hargobind Das and his son Chandan Das. The accused are residents of the Digri area near Jafrabad, Mr. Sarkar added.

The father and son were hacked to death at their house in Dhulian by a mob on April 12. They were among the three people killed during protests against The Waqf (Amendment) Act.

Separately, nine more persons were arrested in connection with violence in Bhangar, South 24 Parganas district, where a mob allegedly attacked police personnel and set police vehicles on fire while attempting to hold a protest against the Act.

Also Read | CPI(M) demands judicial inquiry by sitting high court judge into Murshidabad violence

MPs face public ire

Despite the relative calm in Murshidabad, public anger remained palpable in areas affected by the violence like Domkal and Jafrabad, with some residents demanding the permanent deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Following an intervention by the Calcutta High Court, over 20 companies of CAPF have been deployed in the region.

Meanwhile, visiting political representatives faced public ire. Trinamool Congress MP from Jangipur, Khalilur Rehman, faced angry questions from locals, with some alleging that individuals now appealing for peace were themselves involved in the violence.

In Malda, people taking shelter in a relief camp reportedly raised slogans against Malda South Congress MP Isha Khan Choudhury. There were also reports that Farakka MLA Manirul Islam had left his residence in the violence-affected area of Dhulian to seek shelter elsewhere.

Also Read | WB violence: With broken homes, vandalised shops people face uncertain future

Trinamool MLA from Bharatpur, Humayun Kabir, questioned how the violence occurred in Dhulian despite the presence of three public representatives, including Mr. Rehman, in the area at the time.

Former Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, after meeting affected families, acknowledged the demand for permanent central forces deployment. He questioned the delay in police response during the initial hours of violence, asking, “Who did not allow the police to act is a subject of investigation.”

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary Mohammad Salim demanded a judicial inquiry into the violence in Murshidabad by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court.

Amidst the tensions prevailing in the State, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called a meeting with Imams and Muezzins on Wednesday to discuss The Waqf (Amendment) Act, reiterating that the Act will not be implemented in the State. In a related development, the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) announced the cancellation of a planned gathering at Kolkata’s Brigade Parade Grounds scheduled for April 26.

Published - April 15, 2025 10:00 pm IST