In the aftermath of the violent clashes and incidents of arson that erupted in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district last week, state authorities confirmed that more than 200 individuals have now been arrested in connection with the unrest.
The violence, which broke out on Friday following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, resulted in the tragic loss of three lives and left the region grappling with deep-seated tension.
Efforts to stabilize the situation have been underway around the clock, with both the state police and central security forces maintaining a visible presence in the violence-hit areas.
Teams have been deployed to carry out route marches across sensitive pockets of the district as part of a coordinated strategy aimed at deterring further disturbances and reassuring residents of their safety.
Law enforcement agencies have also launched targeted “confidence-building exercises” designed to rebuild public trust and encourage displaced families to return home.
Several families who had fled their homes fearing further violence have begun returning under police supervision. Officials have confirmed that at least 19 families have returned so far, as the situation gradually improves.
Speaking to the media on Monday from the state police headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan, Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order Javed Shami expressed cautious optimism that the region would soon return to complete normalcy.
He noted that the combined efforts of law enforcement, responsible reporting by the media, and restraint exercised by the public had all played a crucial role in preventing the situation from escalating further.
“We all witnessed the unfortunate events that unfolded from Friday onward,” Shamim said. “In the case of any communal flare-up, it naturally takes some time for peace and normalcy to be fully restored, regardless of the state.
However, I am pleased to say that here, the situation is already improving significantly, thanks not only to the tireless work of the police but also the maturity shown by members of the press, responsible behavior on social media, and cooperation from the public.”
The state police also confirmed that the number of First Information Reports (FIRs) registered about the violence continues to climb as investigators work to identify and track down all those involved in the clashes.
Shamim emphasized that the authorities were fully committed to ensuring that every individual responsible for instigating or participating in violent acts would face the full weight of the law.
“Our investigation is ongoing, and we are following every lead,” he said. “No matter where the perpetrators hide, they will be identified and brought to justice. Anyone who was involved in orchestrating or encouraging violence will not be spared.”
One of the major concerns for the authorities, Shamim added, has been the spread of misinformation and rumors through social media and messaging platforms, which he described as a significant obstacle to restoring calm.
To counter this, the administration has extended the suspension of internet services in the affected areas to curb the circulation of false or inflammatory information.
“The greatest threat to peace right now is the rapid spread of rumors, which has made the job of law enforcement even more challenging,” Shamim explained.
“Senior police officers, including the Director General of Police, are stationed on the ground and closely monitoring the situation. I urge all citizens to be responsible, to fact-check information, and to avoid sharing unverified claims.”
Acknowledging that emotions were still running high in the region, Shamim said it was natural for people to feel anxious, upset, or critical of the police response during such volatile circumstances.
He assured the public that authorities were taking all complaints seriously and that every grievance would be addressed once the situation had stabilized.
“We understand that in tense situations, people will have questions, concerns, and sometimes even allegations about how certain events were handled,” he said. “We are committed to listening to these concerns and will carefully investigate each one in due course.”
Despite the relative calm that has returned to the district over the past 36 hours, police officials stressed that their work was far from over.
The combined efforts of law enforcement and community cooperation would remain critical in the coming days to ensure that peace is fully restored and that displaced families feel secure enough to return to their homes permanently.