Amid incidents of sporadic violence in some parts of West Bengal during protests over the Waqf Amendment Act, 2025, Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar on Saturday issued a strong warning, stating that the police would not tolerate any form of violence or hooliganism and would take strict action when necessary.
In Murshidabad’s Jangipur, protests have repeatedly turned violent over the past week, with demonstrators reportedly defying prohibitory orders under Section 169 of the BNSS. Security personnel were allegedly attacked, and police vehicles were set on fire.
A similar protest took place on Friday in Amtala, South 24 Parganas, where demonstrators blocked roads—allowing only ambulances—and allegedly assaulted police officers and vandalised a police vehicle that was reportedly transporting an accused to court.
#WATCH | West Bengal | Morning visuals from Jangipur, Murshidabad, where people staged a protest against the Waqf Amendment Act. Several vehicles were torched. Security has been heightened in the area.
— ANI (@ANI) April 12, 2025
As per the Bengal Police, the situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of… pic.twitter.com/6qB4juCdoz
“If things escalate, the police will respond with the harshest measures,” said DGP Kumar during a press conference. “Our job is to protect lives. If need be, we will even risk our own lives. That is our duty. But anyone causing trouble must be warned. Do not play with fire or with people’s emotions.”
He informed that on Friday, the police had to fire four rounds in Suti to bring the situation under control, injuring two individuals. However, he emphasised that the police “are not trigger happy”. So far, the police have arrested 118 people in connection with the disturbances.
Additional Director General (ADG) (Law & Order) Javed Shamim, who also attended the conference, said, “There’s a deliberate effort to spread misinformation. Everyone must remain alert.”
Addressing the situation in Murshidabad, the ADG noted a prevailing sense of fear among residents and urged the media to work alongside the police in maintaining peace and upholding law and order.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also issued an appeal for peace. In a post on X, she clarified that the Waqf law was not enacted by the state government but by the central government, and any concerns or demands regarding it should be addressed to the Centre.
She also alleged there is a political conspiracy, accusing certain parties of misusing religion for their own benefit.
"My sincere appeal to people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any irreligious behaviour in the name of religion. Every human life is precious; do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming society," she said.
