Page 18 - West Bengal

NHRC team arrives in Malda to meet refugees from Murshidabad violence

A team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday arrived in West Bengal's Malda district to meet people who have taken shelter in refugee camps after fleeing violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district. The NHRC took suo motu cognisance of the recent violence in Murshidabad that broke out during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The Commission on Tuesday said it has decided to send a team to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry into the incidents, considering the seriousness of the situation. The NHRC action comes following the receipt of a formal complaint about the violence and the alleged human rights violations in the affected areas. According to officials, three people were killed during the violent clashes that erupted in the Muslim-majority areas of Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur in Murshidabad district. Many residents, fearing for their lives, fled their homes and took shelter in camps set up in neighbouring Malda district. The violence occurred am

NCW chief arrives in Bengal to probe Murshidabad violence, meet victims

Rahatkar, who is part of the probe committee constituted by the NCW, will visit affected areas, including Malda and Murshidabad, over the next three days

HC forms 3-member panel for rehabilitation of Murshidabad violence victims

The Calcutta High Court on Thursday ordered the formation of a three-member committee for the identification and rehabilitation of people displaced by the violence during the protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Murshidabad district. A division bench comprising justices Soumen Sen and Raja Basu Chowdhury also said that its interim order of April 12, directing the deployment of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in Murshidabad, will continue. The court said the three-member committee will consist of an official each from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the West Bengal Human Rights Commission (WBHRC), besides the member secretary of the State Legal Services Authority (SLSA). "We deem it appropriate to constitute a committee consisting of three officers who shall monitor and coordinate the situation," it said. The committee was directed to identify the displaced persons, extent of damage caused to properties of the victims and also collect the data of the FIRs ...

Bengal waqf violence: HC says 'no provocative speeches', forces to stay put

The Calcutta HC asks central forces to stay in riot-hit Murshidabad; urges calm. NHRC to probe Waqf Act protest violence that left three dead, many homeless

'Students should not suffer': SC allows 'untainted' Bengal teachers to stay

SC has allowed untainted West Bengal teachers to continue teaching until a new recruitment process is completed, but excludes non-teaching staff and imposes strict timeline for new hiring

Waqf Act hearing highlights: No interim order as of now, hearing to continue tomorrow

Waqf Amendment Act 2025 Supreme Court hearing highlights: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2025 was passed in both houses of Parliament after amendments proposed by Opposition members were rejected

NCW forms panel to probe 'molestation' of women during Murshidabad violence

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has constituted an inquiry committee to investigate alleged molestation and displacement of women during the recent communal violence in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, an official statement said on Wednesday. It said NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and will visit the affected areas to assess the situation and meet victims. Violence erupted on April 11 and 12 in pockets of Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian and Jangipur, during protests against the amended Waqf Act. At least three people were killed and several injured in the violence. In the Mandirpara area of Dhulian, numerous women were allegedly molested during the violence. The violence forced hundreds of women to flee their homes, with many crossing the Bhagirathi river to seek shelter in neighbouring Malda district, the commission said. "The commission is deeply disturbed by the reports emerging from Murshidabad. Women have not only

Murshidabad riots pre-planned; BJP, central agencies involved: Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed the recent communal violence in Murshidabad as "pre-planned" and accused a section of the BSF, central agencies, and the BJP of fanning tension by allegedly facilitating cross-border influx from Bangladesh. Speaking at a meeting with Imams, Banerjee alleged that despite the volatile situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, the central government allowed illegal entry from across the border, and claimed that the BSF and certain agencies played a role in triggering unrest in Bengal. Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to implement the "atrocious" Waqf Amendment Act and requested him to keep the Union Home Ministry, headed by Amit Shah, under control. "I would request the Prime Minister to keep a check on Amit Shah, he is doing harm to the nation to serve his own political agenda," she said. "I came across news claiming the role of elements from across the border in Murshidabad unrest. Is it not the role of the BS

Murshidabad violence linked to Bangladeshi radicals, local leaders: Intel

Bangladeshi radicals, allegedly aided by local leaders of a political party, were "involved" in the recent violence triggered by anti-Waqf law agitations in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, sources said. Quoting an intelligence report, sources said members of two Bangladesh-based radical outfits -- Jamaat-ul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT) -- were allegedly involved in the violence in Murshidabad, which left three persons dead. The violence was carried out by Bangladeshi miscreants, allegedly aided by local leaders of a political party, sources said quoting the report. The Union home ministry is closely following the situation in Murshidabad, where central forces have been deployed along with the state police to restore peace and maintain law and order, sources said. The Border Security Force (BSF), which is deployed along the India-Bangladesh border, has also been instructed to keep a strict vigil so that illegal infiltration does not take place in

Waqf law: NHRC takes note of Murshidabad violence, to send team for inquiry

Taking cognisance of the violence in West Bengal's Murshidabad during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the NHRC on Tuesday said it will send a team from its investigation division to conduct an on-spot inquiry, given the "seriousness" of the matter. The National Human Rights Commission said the action comes after submission of a complaint to it. The inquiry report should be submitted within a period of three weeks, it said. The complaint pertains to various "social media news articles" highlighting the alleged murder of two named persons -- father and son, amid the ongoing protest against the legislation. "Given the seriousness of the matter, the Director General (Investigation), NHRC, is directed to assign a team of officers/officials from the Investigation Division of the Commission to conduct an on-spot inquiry at Murshidabad, West Bengal," according to the proceedings. The inquiry report should be submitted to the Commission within a period of three weeks, it said. Thr

Kiren Rijiju blames Mamata Banerjee's Waqf Act defiance for Bengal violence

Defending the Waqf Act, Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju said the changes in the law are not against any community

Pohela Boishakh 2025: Know history and how to celebrate 'Bengali new year'

Pohela Boishakh, the first day of the Bengali calendar, marks the new year with joy, tradition, and hope for prosperity. Celebrated with cultural rituals and festive meals, it symbolises a fresh start

Normalcy back in Murshidabad after Waqf protest violence, forces deployed

Security personnel, including BSF and CRPF, have been deployed in the area, and authorities have stated that the situation is now under control

Situation peaceful, under control in violence-hit Murshidabad, say police

The situation in violence-hit areas of Murshidabad district, mainly Suti, Samserganj, Dhulian and Jangipur was peaceful and under control on Monday, a senior police officer said. Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) remain in force in the violence-hit pockets where the roads wore a deserted look and shops downed their shutters. The internet remains suspended in the affected areas while security forces are conducting checks on vehicles along the main roads. Three people have died and several others injured in the violence which raged in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas since Friday afternoon but there was no report of any fresh incident from anywhere in the district. A total of 180 people have been arrested in connection with the violence following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act till Saturday afternoon, he said. "The situation in and around these disturbed areas is peaceful and under control. There is no repor

BJP slams TMC MP Yusuf Pathan's 'sipping tea' post amid Murshidabad unrest

Baharampur MP Yusuf Pathan posted a few pictures on his Instagram handle, showing him sipping tea and relaxing. The post drew criticism from the BJP

Murshidabad Waqf protests: 150 held over violence, central forces deployed

Violence over Waqf Act rocks Murshidabad as Calcutta High Court directs immediate deployment of central forces in the area

12 more held in violence over Waqf Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad: Police

Twelve more people were arrested in connection with the violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, where three people have died, police said on Sunday. No new incident of violence was reported from anywhere in the Muslim-majority district, with security forces keeping a close vigil, they said. "The situation in Suti, Dhulian, Samserganj and Jangipur areas of the district is peaceful. Raids continued overnight, and 12 more people were arrested. With this, 150 people have been arrested so far," a senior police officer said. Prohibitory orders under section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in the violence-hit areas, and the internet has been suspended, he said. The security forces are checking vehicles on the main roads, and patrolling the sensitive pockets, he added. "An investigation is underway into the incidents of violence. More arrests are likely," the officer said. Several vehicles, including pol

Calcutta HC orders deployment of central forces in violence-hit Murshidabad

Holding that it cannot turn a blind eye to reports of vandalism in a few districts of West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday ordered deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad district, which has been hit by violence allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The court said this direction will not be limited to Murshidabad district only and "as and when required it should be extended to other districts faced with similar situation" and central forces may be deployed immediately to arrest the situation and bring normalcy. "We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie shows vandalism in few districts of the State of West Bengal," a division bench presided by Justice Soumen Sen said. The court noted that apart from Murshidabad, incidents have been reported from Amtala in South 24 Parganas district, in North 24 Parganas district and at Champdani in Hooghly. At least three people were ..

3 killed in Waqf-related violence in Bengal's Murshidabad district

Two persons were killed in West Bengal's Murshidabad district following violent clashes allegedly linked to ongoing protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, an IPS officer said on Saturday. The victims, a father and son, were found with multiple stab wounds inside their home in Jafrabad, located in the violence-hit Samserganj area, he added. According to him, both victims were found lying inside their home and were declared brought dead at a nearby hospital. Their family alleged that miscreants looted their house and stabbed the two before leaving. In a separate incident, another person sustained a bullet wound at Dhulian in Samserganj block earlier in the day, the officer said. Large-scale violence was reported on Friday from Suti and Samserganj areas of the district during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

WB education min's 'empty promises' mean nothing, say protesting teachers

Three teachers, who have been staging a hunger strike for the last three days demanding that the West Bengal SSC release a list of eligible candidates of the 2016 recruitment examination, on Saturday said "hollow promises" made by Education Minister Bratya Basu meant nothing to them. Basu had on Friday said the School Service Commission (SSC) was ready to publish the digital mirror image of Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets of all 22 lakh candidates who had appeared in the 2016 exam, after a Supreme Court judgment invalidated the appointment of 26,000 teachers and non-teaching staffers of schools in the state, terming the entire selection process "vitiated and tainted". The agitating teachers -- Pankaj Roy, Suman Biswas, and Pratap Kumar Saha -- began their indefinite fast before the SSC office at Acharya Bhavan here at 11 am on April 10 calling for immediate demarcation between tainted and untainted candidates whose jobs were invalidated by the apex court on April 3. Speaking t