Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: In a detailed 34-page report submitted to the Calcutta High Court, the West Bengal government revealed that violence during protests against the amended Waqf law escalated rapidly in Murshidabad’s Jangipur area last week, with police facing an aggressive mob of nearly 10,000 people, many of whom were armed with lethal weapons.
According to the report, the situation turned dangerous when a section of the massive gathering — which initially assembled at the PWD ground — broke off and blocked the National Highway near Umarpur, triggering a violent standoff.
Cop’s Pistol Snatched Amid Mob Assault
One of the most alarming details in the report was that during the chaos, a Glock service pistol loaded with 10 roundswas snatched from the Sub-Divisional Police Officer by members of the mob. The attackers also carried wooden staves, iron rods, and hasua (sickles), making the confrontation particularly deadly.
Mob Attacks, Stone Pelting, and Casualties
The crowd — described as unruly and aggressive — hurled abuses and then began pelting stones and bricks at the deployed police personnel. The clash soon escalated into a pitched battle, with security forces struggling to hold ground.
The police reportedly had to rescue their own officers from the furious mob, which had overwhelmed them in numbers. The violence resulted in three deaths and several injuries, intensifying political tensions in the state.
Context and Fallout
The violence was sparked by the recently amended Waqf Act, which has triggered widespread protests across the state. The law has been criticised by various community leaders and political parties, with Trinamool Congress vowing not to implement the amended rules in Bengal. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of appeasement politics.
The High Court, in response to the escalating unrest, has ordered the deployment of central forces in sensitive areas like Murshidabad, including Jangipur, Samsherganj, and Dhuliyan, to restore law and order.
The court has also taken a strong stance against the violence, stating it “cannot remain a mute spectator” while citizens’ safety is at risk.
