Hundreds flee violence-hit Bengal areas

The BJP on Sunday urged the Centre to impose the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Murshidabad and three other districts of West Bengal, as hundreds of Hindus were forced to flee affected areas following violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The situation remained tense but under control, officials said.

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The Centre had rushed five more BSF companies to the state, the officials said, adding nearly 150 persons had been arrested for their alleged role in fanning violence.

Editorial: Bengal burns

Paramilitary forces patrolled parts of Murshidabad district that witnessed violent protests on Friday and Saturday, claiming three lives. “The situation in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas of the district is peaceful. Raids continued overnight, and 12 more persons were arrested,” a senior police officer said.

Hundreds of people affected by communal violence in Murshidabad district crossed the Bhagirathi and took shelter in adjoining Malda, the officials said.

The Calcutta High Court, in its response to the situation, had yesterday ordered the deployment of central forces to contain the violence, adding that the steps taken by the state government were not enough.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been urging people to maintain calm, claiming that the Waqf Act will not be implemented in the state.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi responded on Saturday to the CM’s assertion, saying the central law must be implemented by all states without exception.

Earlier in the day, BJP’s Purulia MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging the imposition of the AFSPA in Malda, Murshidabad, Nadia and South 24 Parganas districts, alleging targeted violence against the Hindu community.

Party legislator and Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in a post claimed that over 400 Hindus had been “forced” to flee their homes amid violence in Murshidabad and Dhulian.

Ruling TMC MLA Humayun Kabir, however, condemned the violence, saying the attacks were “against the spirit of Islam”. Congress MP Isha Khan Choudhury, who was prevented by the police from visiting Samserganj in his Maldaha Dakshin constituency, urged the TMC government to organise an all-party meeting to restore peace in the state.

Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been in force in the region since Saturday. The Internet services continued to remain suspended in the region.

Peaceful protest our right, says Jamiat

The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind has asserted that peaceful protest was a constitutional right and that using force to prevent it was condemnable. It, however, regretted violent acts.

Won’t implement Act: Karnataka minister

Karnataka Minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan voiced opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, saying the state government had decided not to implement the law.