Three individuals, including a father and son, were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district during violent protests against the Waqf Act. The unrest has coincided with intelligence reports indicating that the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh , a banned Islamist organisation, is reactivating sleeper cells in the region.
The Waqf Act, passed by Parliament on April 4, 2025, introduces significant changes to the management of Waqf properties, including allowing non-Muslims on Waqf boards and altering the functioning of Waqf tribunals. These amendments have sparked widespread protests in Murshidabad, a district with a significant Muslim population.
The protests escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of Haragobinda Das and his son Chandan Das, who were allegedly attacked by a mob in Dhulian. A third victim, a minor, was shot during clashes in Suti. Over 150 individuals have been arrested in connection with the unrest.
In response to the deteriorating law and order situation, the Calcutta High Court directed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces in Murshidabad to assist the civil administration in restoring normalcy. The court noted that earlier deployment of central forces could have de-escalated the situation.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the violence and assured that the state government would not implement the Waqf Act. She appealed for peace and cautioned against political parties allegedly trying to incite riots for political gain.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has raised concerns about the JMB's activities in the region. The group is reportedly attempting to establish permanent bases within 10 kilometres of the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal, Assam, and Tripura. The JMB has been involved in recruitment, fundraising for terrorist activities, and assembling improvised explosive devices.