BEHRAMPORE/KOLKATA: Following violent protests in Murshidabad against the new waqf law, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Saturday appealed for peace, and asked people not to indulge in “irreligious behaviour in the name of religion”, while insisting that the new amended waqf law would not be implemented in Bengal.
“We have clearly stated our position on this matter: we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So why the riots,” Banerjee tweeted after receiving reports on the Murshidabad situation.
“My sincere appeal to all people of all religions: please remain calm, remain restrained. Every human life is precious, do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society,” she added, reminding everyone that the state had nothing to do with the new law. “We did not make the law. The law was made by Centre. Therefore, the answer should be sought from Centre.”
Police recovered the bodies of 74-year-old Hargobind Das and his son, Chandan, from their home in Jafrabad, Shamsherganj, Saturday morning, several hours after a mob of 300-400 attacked houses and shops in the area the evening before. The armed group broke into the Das residence, dragged both men out, beat them up and left them critically injured. Both died within hours.
“We climbed onto the roof of our house and hid. We could not do anything,” Prasenjit Das, Chandan’s nephew, told reporters Saturday morning. More than 25 homes and around a dozen shops were damaged as the violence started around 9.30pm and continued for more than an hour.
The third person to die in the violence was 21-year-old Ijaz Ahmed, who was injured after police were forced to open fire to quell a rampaging mob at Shajur More in Suti Friday afternoon. The mob targeted vehicles and police kiosks, forcing cops to fire four rounds.
Ahmed was admitted to Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital on Friday but died on Saturday. Class VII student Hasan Sheikh and 29-year-old Ghulamuddin of Dhulian suffered bullet injuries.
A mob surrounded Farakka MLA Manirul Islam’s brother Kausar Ali’s home on Saturday morning, prompting the MLA to seek police help. Police met with fierce resistance from the mob. It was in this melee that Sheikh and Ghulamuddin received gunshot injuries but neither police nor BSF officers could confirm who fired the bullets. Both were first admitted to Jangipur Super-Specialty Hospital and later transferred to Behrampore Medical College and Hospital; Hasan was later referred to Kolkata because his condition was critical.
More than 15 police personnel, too, were injured; they included Farakka sub-divisional police officer Aminul Islam.
DGP Rajeev Kumar, who reached Murshidabad Saturday evening, held a meeting with the SP and then went to Jangipur to meet BSF officers. State counsel Arka Nag told HC that several police seniors, including 3 ADGs, 2 IGPs, 2 DIGs and 4 SPs, were in the district.
DGP Kumar warned those indulging in violence of “the strictest possible measures”. “Men in uniform will do everything in their power to protect innocent citizens’ lives and properties… Cops have taken action wherever necessary. Do not perceive police restraint as weakness,” he said. “The unfortunate incident that happened may have been triggered by rumours being spread from various quarters. I urge people not to pay heed to such provocations, which are clearly the handiwork of miscreants. This is a fight between good and evil.”
