A huge contingent of the police force and the BSF has been deployed in trouble-torn areas. (Express Photo)
Police arrested 118 people in connection with violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad, which broke out during protests against the Waqf Act.
Police had to fire four rounds to control the mob, leaving two people injured.
Fifteen police personnel also received injuries while trying to control the mob on Friday.
A fresh flare-up took place on Saturday morning in Shamshergunj but was quickly controlled. A huge contingent of the police force and the BSF has been deployed in trouble-torn areas.
“We will not tolerate hooliganism. We will deal with it very, very strongly. Police use minimum force. But I want to make it clear – wherever it takes, we will deal strongly with the situation,” said Rajeev Kumar, the state’s director general of police, at a press conference in Bhawani Bhawan.
“It started as demonstrations, then public property was damaged, and then it took a communal angle. Last night, we controlled the situation. In the morning, a fresh flare-up took place, and we again controlled the situation. We are not action-shy. If miscreants take the law into their hands, we will act very, very strongly,” Kumar said.
“Strong action will be taken against people who spread rumours. I appeal to everyone not to spread rumours,” Kumar said.
Jawed Shamim, ADG (law and order), confirmed that police had to report to firing on Friday evening to control the mob.
“Trouble erupted in Sujarmore crossing under Suti police station as agitators blocked National Highway 12. We tried to follow the rules and our drill. We baton charged and used tear gas shells. But the mob started to ransack and set fire to public property and public buses, and police were attacked by the crowd. We had to resort to firing. Four rounds were fired, and two persons were injured. They are recovering,” said Shamim. “Fifteen policemen were injured and some very seriously; they are admitted to hospitals.”
Prohibitory orders and an internet ban remained in place in various areas of Murshidabad.
Meanwhile, the house of TMC MLA Manirul Islam was ransacked on Friday, and he was heckled by the mob.
“The mob pelted stones and ransacked my house. I was not at home. I went to talk with the agitators and I was heckled by them,” said Islam.
The office of local TMC MP Khalilur Rehman was also ransacked. Train services were hit as protesters squatted on the rail tracks.