KOLKATA, 12 APRIL

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 17 April.

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.

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.

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.