According to senior BSF officials, ADG Ravi Gandhi will inspect all the troubled spots to comprehensively understand the ground reality.
(Express photo by Partha Paul)
Amidst a tense but reportedly controlled situation in Murshidabad and parts of Malda in West Bengal following violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Ravi Gandhi, Additional Director General (ADG) of the Border Security Force (BSF) Eastern Command, is scheduled to visit the affected areas. According to senior BSF officials, Gandhi will inspect all the troubled spots to comprehensively understand the ground reality.
The visit is expected to lead to a reassessment of the current deployment of BSF personnel. “There could be changes in deployment after his visit. BSF personnel will be mobilised accordingly,” a senior BSF official stated, indicating a potential strategic reshuffle based on the ADG’s observations. Currently, nine BSF companies are deployed in the affected regions.
The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament and given the assent by the President, came into force from April 8. In the violent protest against the amended Waqf law in Murshidabad, three people were killed and at least 15 policemen were injured Friday. The Calcutta High Court later ordered the deployment of Central armed forces in the affected areas and the West Bengal government said 150 people were arrested.
Nilotpal Kumar Pandey, Deputy Inspector General, BSF, acknowledged the prevailing tension but assured that the situation remains “under control”. Meanwhile, Governor Dr C V Ananda Bose directed the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) to extend immediate assistance to the affected people and families, particularly in the riot-stricken areas of Murshidabad and Malda districts, as well as other disturbed locations.
In a post on X Monday, Bose announced the appointment of IRCS chairman Dr S K Pattanayak, a retired IAS officer, and Sandeep Rajput, chief nodal officer of the Rapid Action Cell at Raj Bhavan, as nodal officers to oversee the relief efforts. He also shared emergency contact numbers for the IRCS: 9732524377 and 8013344318.
On Sunday, Governor Bose stated that he is in regular communication with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee regarding the situation. The Centre is also reportedly closely monitoring the developments in the violence-hit Murshidabad district.
The violence that erupted following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in the Suti and Samserganj blocks of Murshidabad led to injuries for several people and resulted in the burning of numerous shops, in addition to the three deaths. As a result, many residents from the affected areas have fled their homes.