Murshidabad unrest: Calcutta HC intervenes, ‘We cannot stay silent’; deploys central forces amid Waqf Act protests

NEW DELHI: The Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered the immediate deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, following deadly violence allegedly linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. At least three people have died and over 100 have been arrested in the escalating clashes that have rocked the region.
"The court cannot keep its eyes closed when such situations come up," a division bench led by Justice Soumen Sen observed, emphasizing the constitutional responsibility to ensure peace and protection for all citizens. The court was hearing an urgent petition on a court holiday, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
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The central forces, the court ordered, will assist the state administration in restoring normalcy in the affected areas, particularly Suti, Dhuliyan, and Samserganj, which have seen the most intense violence. Seven companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have already been sent to these areas, the state’s counsel informed the bench.
However, the petitioner’s counsel, representing Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, argued that the deployment was ineffective and not being implemented properly on the ground.
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The court has asked both the Centre and the West Bengal government to submit detailed reports on the situation. A special bench comprising Justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury was constituted by Chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam to hear the matter urgently. The next hearing has been scheduled for April 17.
The directive comes amid increasing tensions in parts of Bengal over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, with political leaders trading blame and security concerns mounting in communally sensitive pockets of Murshidabad.