Murshidabad anti-Waqf clashes: Atleast 3 killed; Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces

Kolkata: Stating that it "cannot keep its eyes closed when such situations come up", the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, following violent clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The court emphasised that citizens must be provided with adequate security and protection to maintain peace and order in the region.

Three dead, over 100 arrested

At least three people have lost their lives in the violence, while more than 100 individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest.

A division bench, led by Justice Soumen Sen, directed the deployment of CAPF in the affected areas of Murshidabad to help restore normalcy. The court also noted that the central forces must work in coordination with the state administration.

Court seeks reports from Centre and state

The High Court further instructed both the West Bengal government and the Centre to submit detailed reports on the situation. The matter has been posted for the next hearing on April 17.

Urgent hearing on court holiday

The hearing was conducted by a special bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury, which was urgently constituted by the Chief Justice. The court sat on a holiday to hear the petition filed by Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, who sought central force deployment in the violence-hit district.

BSF deployment questioned

The state government informed the court that seven companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) had already been deployed in the strife-torn areas of Suti, Dhuliyan, and Samserganj.

However, Adhikari’s counsel argued that the BSF personnel were not being deployed effectively to bring the situation under control.