12 more arrested in violence over Waqf Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad: Police

Kolkata: Twelve more people were arrested in connection with the violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where three people have died, police said on Sunday.

No new incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the -majority district, with security forces keeping a close vigil, they said.

“The situation in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas of the district is peaceful. Raids continued overnight, and 12 more people were . With this, 150 people have been arrested so far,” a senior police officer said.

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Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the violence-hit areas, and the internet has been suspended, he said.

The are checking vehicles on the main roads, and patrolling the sensitive pockets, he added.

“An investigation is underway into the incidents of violence. More arrests are likely,” the officer said.

Several vehicles, including police vans, were set on fire, stones were hurled at security forces, and roads were blocked as violence rocked various parts of the state, particularly Murshidabad, during protests over the new legislation on Friday. Some flare-ups were also reported on Saturday.

Amid the violence, the bodies of a man and his son were found with multiple stab wounds at their home in Jafrabad in Samserganj on Saturday. They were identified as Harogobindo Das and Chandan Das, according to the police.

A 21-year-old man, identified as Ijaz Momin, died on Saturday after receiving bullet wounds during clashes at Sajur More in Suti on Friday, they said.

At least 18 policemen were injured in the violence on Friday.

DGP Rajeev Kumar, who reached Samserganj on Saturday night, held a meeting with senior officers and took stock of the situation.

Hundreds take shelter in Malda

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have crossed the Bhagirathi River and taken shelter in adjoining Malda, officials said.

The local administration has arranged for accommodation and food for the fleeing riot-hit families and sheltered them in schools, while deploying volunteers at the riverbank to assist those arriving in boats.

“We escaped from Mandirpara area of Dhulian as our houses were set on fire and women and girls were molested by a gang of outsiders and some locals,” a young woman, who fled the area along with four other family members, told reporters.

“They hurled bombs, blamed us for the Waqf (Amendment) Act and asked us to immediately leave our homes. They beat up the men of our houses. We were afraid for our lives and escaped our homes with the help of central forces,” the woman added.

Another elderly woman said, “We folded hands before the marauders seeking their forgiveness even though we did not commit any wrongdoing. Brandishing arms, the attackers committed so much of atrocities. I, my son, daughter-in-law and grandson fled with some of our belongings. Otherwise, we would have been killed.”

Deonapur-Sovapur gram panchayat pradhan Sulekha Choudhury said initially, a few people were coming in boats, but the numbers increased since Friday afternoon. “The number of people who have arrived till Saturday night crossed 500, with most of them being women,” she said.

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