Fri Apr 18 21:14:00 UTC 2025: ## Murshidabad Riots Leave Trail of Destruction and Death in West Bengal

**Kolkata, West Bengal –** Three days of violent riots in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, sparked by protests against the newly passed Waqf (Amendment) Act, have left a trail of destruction and claimed three lives. The violence, which began on April 11th, targeted shops and homes in the Ghoshpara market and Dhulian municipality, leaving residents displaced and traumatized.

The clashes, which pitted Hindus and Muslims against each other, saw mobs attack businesses and homes, resulting in arson, looting, and murder. Amar Bhakat, a Hindu lottery shop owner, reported his shop was targeted due to his religion, with lakhs of rupees stolen and his property destroyed. Anirban Hossain, a Muslim pharmacist whose shop was also damaged, lamented the breakdown of peaceful co-existence in the area.

The violence resulted in the deaths of Hargobind Das (70) and his son Chandan Das (40), who were lynched in Jafrabad village, and Ejaz Ahmed Sheikh (21), who died from police gunfire in Gazipur. Parul Das, wife and mother of the lynched victims, described a harrowing attack where police failed to respond to their pleas for help. The incident has been condemned as a “heinous crime” by the West Bengal Police, who have launched a special investigation team and made arrests.

The BJP, in the opposition, has capitalized on the violence, characterizing it as an “attack on Hindus” and demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. They organized a “Hindu Martyrs Day” in Kolkata.

The violence spread across several areas, with Betbona witnessing widespread arson. Residents described fleeing burning homes and recounting the loss of property and livestock. Many families have sought refuge in neighboring Malda district, with hundreds seeking shelter in Parlalpur high school.

While Chief Minister Banerjee has attributed the riots to a “pre-planned conspiracy” involving individuals from Bangladesh, political observers point to the underlying religious polarization in the state exacerbated by recent Ram Navami processions attended by leaders from both the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP. The police acknowledge challenges in responding to the widespread simultaneous attacks across the district.

The scale of the violence is unprecedented in the region, with over 60 FIRs filed and 274 arrests made. The displacement of hundreds of families, forcing them to seek refuge in other districts, highlights the severity of the situation. While the state government claims a return to normalcy, the accounts of victims and ongoing police investigations paint a grimmer picture. The deployment of CAPF personnel, ordered by the Calcutta High Court, and continued unrest underlines the lingering tension and the long road to recovery.

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