CAPF deployed in violence-hit Murshidabad to bring back normalcy

Kolkata: A day after Calcutta High Court order, CAPF has been deployed in Murshidabad in addition to nine companies of BSF and state Police, patrolling in various areas of violence-hit areas and working to bring back normalcy in Murshidabad's Suti and Samserganj. West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar reached Murshidabad last evening and has been camping in Murshidabad and coordinating from there since last night. Kumar has gave a strong message and said yesterday that no violence and hooliganism will be tolerated.

"Altogether nine companies of BSF have been deployed in Suti and Samserganj police station areas till now. BSF is working in close coordination with state police and responding promptly to any call of help from people in distress. On receipt of any information related to unrest and any disturbances , deployed BSF troops are trying to reach at the earliest. State police are trying to bring the situation under control and we are helping them in the best possible manner. However, in some places BSF faced resistance and have also been attacked by the hooligans," BSF DIG Nilotpol Kumar Pandey said.

The situation remains tense but under control as people remain in fear. "People have been killed in our neighbourhood. We are scared and unable to sleep," a woman residing in Samserganj said.


Another local residing in Samserganj said, "With BSF patrolling in the area, we are little relieved now. Situation is tense."
BSF jawans are conducting route marches in several areas while a huge contingent of police forces are keeping vigil in the area.

Meanwhile, in a letter to Union Home Minister, BJP General Secretary and MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato to Amit Shah, Union Minister of Home Affairs, urging to impose AFSPA in bordering districts of West Bengal, especially Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia, South 24 Parganas.

BJP MP Ranaghat Jagannath Sarkar also wrote to Union Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah urging immediate intervention to control the situation of Murshidabad and seeking a high level investigative and monitoring team from the Home Ministry.

Mamata Banerjee on Waqf
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday that Waqf amendment law will not be implemented in West Bengal and the Trinamool government does not support the law, urging people not to resort to rioting and remain calm.

"We have made our position clear on this matter - we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So why the riots ?" Banerjee appealed to the people on the Murshidabad issue.

"My sincere appeal to all 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 the society," Banerjee pointed out, posting in her X Handle.

She also clarified that the Waqf law has been made by the central government and the Centre should be questioned on the matter. "Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitating against. The law was made by the Central government. Therefore, the answer should be sought from the Central government," she said in her X Handle post.

Banerjee said that her government "will take legal action against those who are inciting riots. We do not condone any violent activity."

Trinamool National general secretary Abhishek Banerjee has also called for peace and urges people not to fall prey to rumours and those trying to ignite violence in the state.