Kolkata, April 13: Days after violent clashes broke out in Murshidabad over protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, BSF DIG and PRO (South Bengal Frontier) Nilotpal Kumar Pandey said the situation, though tense, is now under control.
DIG Pandey stated, “People are still fearful, but the situation has improved since yesterday. With continued efforts, we hope to restore normalcy soon.” He confirmed that the Border Security Force has deployed nine companies in the Suti and Samserganj areas, both major flashpoints during the unrest.
The violence escalated on Saturday when BSF personnel were attacked with petrol bombs and stones in Samserganj. “Our teams faced serious aggression, but thankfully, none of our personnel sustained major injuries,” he said.
DIG Pandey added that the BSF is actively responding to distress calls from residents, aiming to calm tensions. “Whenever people reach out in fear, we dispatch teams immediately to assist them,” he said.
Similarly, West Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar said that the “situation is under control.”
So far, three people have lost their lives in the violence. West Bengal Police have arrested 150 individuals and ramped up deployments in affected areas like Samserganj, Dhuliyan, and Suti to maintain order.
In response to the unrest, BJP MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to impose the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia, and South 24 Parganas, citing targeted violence against the Hindu community.
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the immediate deployment of central forces in Murshidabad to curb further violence and restore peace.