West Bengal Violence: Calcutta HC Orders Central Forces Deployment In Murshidabad Amid Protests Against Waqf Amendment Bill

Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered deployment of central forces at strife torn Murshidabad due to protests against WAQF (Amendment) bill.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari moved the High Court seeking deployment of central forces in order to protect the law and order situation there. Following permission from the Chief Justice a special division bench comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury heard the petition and ordered deployment of central forces.

According to the court sources, Justice Soumen Sen had cleared that not just in Murshidabad, the state, if needed, can deploy central forces in any sensitive areas across the state.

The lawyer representing the state said that the central forces will work along with the state police. The next hearing of the same case is on April 17. Notably, according to sources, three people have reportedly died in Murshidabad due to the violence.

After disturbing news of clashes with police and vandalism across Murshidabad were reported and vandalism were seen at Azimganj station master’s room, Adhikari had also written a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw demanding a NIA probe into the incident.

Incidentally, incidents of violence from Murshidabad were reported since April 8. Earlier this day, Bengal’s Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar informed the media that no hooliganism will be tolerated.

“Incidents of communal attack in Murshidabad have been heard. It is a strict instruction from the state government’s side that no miscreants will be spared. This is between the good and the bad. I will also urge people to stop spreading rumours. Rumours have to stop. Don't believe in rumours,” said Kumar.

ADG, Law and Order Javed Shamim stated that almost 118 people were arrested over the incidents of violence and also mentioned that 15 police were injured due to the clashes. “On Friday police were compelled to fire four rounds of bullets and in the process a minor got injured,” mentioned Shamim.

Meanwhile, following Calcutta High Court’s order DGP Rajeev Kumar has reached Samsherganj in Murshidabad and at the time of reporting is holding a high-level meeting there and will soon visit the sensitive areas.

Several companies of BSF have also been sent to Murshidabad to tackle the situation. Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor Firhad Hakim blamed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the violence in Murshidabad. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that the order of Calcutta High Court is ‘a slap on Mamata Banerjee government’.