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'Closely monitoring': Centre assures Mamata government of all help over Murshidabad Waqf clashes
Union home secretary, Govind Mohan, held a video conference with the West Bengal chief secretary and DGP about the violence.
The Union home secretary, Govind Mohan, on Saturday informed about the deployment of five additional companies of BSF personnel in West Bengal's Murshidabad, which has been engulfed in violence over the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025.
The deployment is in addition to nearly 300 BSF personnel locally available in the area. The extra troops have been deployed at the request of the state government, the union ministry of home affairs (MHA) said in a statement.
According to the MHA statement, Mohan held a video conference with the West Bengal chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP) about the violence. He asked them to keep close watch on the situation and to take adequate steps to ensure normalcy at the earliest.
The statement also said that the home secretary told the officers that the Centre was ‘closely monitoring’ the situation and assured all possible help.
DGP Rajeev Kumar briefed the home secretary about the ‘tense’ on-ground situation but added that it was under control and was being monitored closely. The DGP further stated that the BSF troops posted locally have been of assistance, and that more than 150 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence.
The Murshidabad violence over the new Waqf Act
Violent protests against the new Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad district left at least three people dead and several others injured. At least three people, including a father-son duo, were killed, and over 118 arrested after protests turned violent in Suti and Samserganj blocks.
In a bid to pacify the agitated protesters, the chief minister clarified that the law in question was legislated by the Centre and not by her government.
"Remember, we did not make the law over which many are agitated. The law was made by the central government. So, the answer you want should be sought from the central government. We have made our position clear on this matter — we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?" Banerjee said in a post on X.
Violence continued to flare in some areas on Saturday as well. Four rounds were fired by the police to control the violence in Murshidabad. Two people sustained injuries and are under treatment. Young boys were made to understand all sorts of lies, Shamim said.
Train services in the New Farakka-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway were disrupted for nearly six hours between Dhuliandanga and Nimtita stations on Friday.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed in several parts of Murshidabad, and internet services have been suspended to prevent further escalation.
