Protest against Waqf law turns violent in Murshidabad; train services disrupted, vehicles torched

Kolkata: The agitation against the new Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, again turned violent at Jangipur in Murshidabad in West Bengal on Friday, with protesters disrupting train services, hurling stones at the cops, setting ablaze police vehicles and passenger buses.

The Indian Railways cancelled two trains and diverted five more after protesters blocked the tracks and allegedly pelted stones targeting the trains. The protesters also blocked the highway at Suti and Samserganj, disrupting vehicular traffic. A local office of the Trinamool Congress was ransacked by the agitators, who also targeted the police personnel.

The police personnel fired tear gas shells and caned the protesters. Additional paramilitary forces were deployed to bring the situation under control.

“The situation in the Suti and Samserganj areas of Jangipur is now under control. The unruly mob has been dispersed by effective police action. Traffic has returned to normalcy on the national highway,” West Bengal police posted on X.

“Strict action will be taken against those who have resorted to violence. Raids are being conducted to arrest the troublemakers. Legal action will also be initiated against rumourmongers trying to spread misinformation.”

The police requested people not to pay heed to rumours and to rather keep calm.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the religious leaders of the protesting community to allay their concerns and de-escalate the situation, sources said.

Murshidabad witnessed violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 earlier too.

Governor C V Ananda Bose pn Friday said that he had been receiving “disturbing reports” about some people taking law and order in their hands in some parts of West Bengal.

“Protest is welcome under democracy, but not violence. Public order cannot be disturbed, and the people's lives cannot be tampered with in the name of protest. Very strong action will be taken against the miscreants,” Bose told ANI, adding that he and Banerjee had a “confidential discussion” on receipt of information about certain troubles likely to brew in certain parts of West Bengal.

“Even today, when some of the disturbances broke out, discussions were held with the government authorities. The Chief Secretary has assured that the government is taking very stern action against the miscreants and will not allow disturbances to escalate. The state is prepared. All action will be taken against miscreants. Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. Bengal deserves peace. Bengal will get peace. No doubt about that."

“In Mamata Banerjee’s Bengal, the so-called ‘messengers of peace’ — nurtured under the banner of minority appeasement — have unleashed utter chaos. In Jalangi, Murshidabad, their fury forced the @WBPolice to retreat, vehicles were torched, and in moments, a full BDO (Block Development Officer’s) office was reduced to rubble,” Union minister and state BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar alleged on X.

“This is not just administrative failure — this is what happens when governance is sacrificed at the altar of vote-bank politics. Offices are unsafe. Life itself is at risk. And yet, the regime shields the chaos in the name of secularism,” alleged Majumdar.

“The incident in the Samsherganj area of Murshidabad involved loot and clashes. The police have not been able to handle the situation so far. The administration is well aware that Murshidabad and Malda are sensitive areas, yet they have failed to take effective action. If you want to protest, do so within the framework of the law—this is my earnest request to the people of Murshidabad,” senior Congress leader Adhir Chowdhury said.