Kolkata: A day after torching of government vehicles and attacks on the police forces by a group of people protesting against the Waqf Act, the overall situation in West Bengal’s Jangipur in Murshidabad district on Wednesday was returning to normal.
A posse of police contingent was patrolling the streets and prohibitory orders were imposed with suspension of internet services in some sensitive pockets, official sources said.
Section 163 of the BNS and prohibitory orders in Raghunathganj and Suti police station were in place and internet services suspended in the Jangipur subdivision to prevent the spread of misinformation, the local administration told reporters.
The trouble ensued after groups of people blocked NH 12 for several hours in protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act) in Murshidabad’s Jangipur area and turned violent on Tuesday afternoon after police wanted the protestors to clear the vital road link connecting north Bengal and south Bengal.
Police fired tear gas shells after baton charge failed to disperse the violent mob, who attacked the uniformed personnel with missiles and stones.
The protestors also torched a police vehicle and SDO’s car and vandalised some vehicles and local shops.
The district, which has a border with Bangladesh, recently witnessed violence.
The opposition BJP demanded deployment of the Central Paramilitary forces to contain the violence after the state police came into attack on Tuesday.
Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said, ” This is not just a law and order failure—it’s a total collapse of governance. The failed CM must step down immediately! Enough of protecting vote banks while the state suffers,” he said on his twitter post.
Leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari also demanded deployment of the para-military forces for protection of the common people.
