Murshidabad, West Bengal: Tension continues to grip West Bengal’s Murshidabad district after violent protests over the newly amended Waqf Act led to the death of three people. In response to the escalating unrest, the Border Security Force (BSF) announced on Sunday the deployment of five additional companies to bolster security in the troubled region.
BSF Deputy Inspector General and South Bengal Frontier PRO Nilotpal Kumar Pandey confirmed the move, stating, “Four companies were deployed yesterday. In light of the continued disturbance, five more companies have now been sent to maintain order and prevent further violence. Our teams are being repositioned in real-time based on emerging reports of tension from different areas.”
A senior BSF officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, described the severity of the situation, saying, “The mob turned extremely violent, and to control the situation in Ghospara, we were compelled to open fire yesterday. Our vehicles were set ablaze, several were vandalized, and some of our jawans sustained minor injuries during clashes.” The officer clarified, however, that no injuries were reported from the firing itself.
The atmosphere in Suti and Samsherganj remains particularly volatile. Authorities reported that even on Sunday, large groups of protesters were seen gathering near Mahadevpur in Samsherganj, prompting the BSF to swiftly dispatch reinforcements to the area.
BSF personnel faced direct attacks in several locations, security officials said, while state police forces reportedly encountered less resistance in comparison.
The protests, which began as demonstrations against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, quickly spiraled into violent confrontations across Murshidabad, leading to widespread property damage, loss of lives, and over 150 arrests.
Taking note of the situation, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the immediate deployment of central armed forces across Murshidabad and other vulnerable areas to restore order.
“We cannot overlook the series of reports highlighting incidents of vandalism across multiple districts in West Bengal,” the High Court bench, led by Justice Soumen Sen, observed during the hearing.
With security forces on high alert and large contingents stationed across affected regions, authorities are making efforts to prevent any further escalation of violence.