'Buses, cars and bikes burnt': Waqf protests turn violent as over 100 arrested in West Bengal

Violence erupted across several Muslim-majority districts in West Bengal during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Demonstrators torched police vehicles, hurled projectiles, and blocked roads. The unrest was most intense in Murshidabad, with similar incidents in Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, sparking large-scale security operations. (Photo credit: PTI)

Police confirmed the arrest of at least 118 people, including 70 from Suti and 41 from Samserganj, as part of ongoing operations. Authorities said more arrests were likely as raids continued. Murshidabad saw the largest crackdown, with patrols and security forces actively deployed to prevent further unrest. (Photo credit: PTI)

To prevent the situation from escalating, officials suspended internet services and imposed restrictive orders in affected parts of Murshidabad. Authorities also warned against gatherings and discouraged the public from reacting to social media rumours. Patrolling has been intensified, especially in Suti and Samserganj, where violence first broke out. (Photo credit: PTI)

A teenage boy injured during clashes in the Suti area was admitted to a Kolkata hospital. The injury allegedly came from police firing, although officials are still investigating. ADG Jawed Shamim suggested the shot might have come from the BSF, which had been deployed due to the region's border with Bangladesh. (Photo credit: PTI)

BJP leader of opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari blamed the Mamata Banerjee-led state government for failing to control the violence. He called the unrest a “premeditated act of violence” by “Jihadist forces” and accused the government of staying silent while public property was destroyed and officials were threatened. (Photo credit: PTI)

ADG Jawed Shamim noted that initial reports suggested police might not have been involved in the firing that wounded the teenager. He stated the bullet could have originated from BSF personnel, as they were deployed to maintain border security. An investigation into the firing incident is ongoing. (Photo credit: PTI)

Senior officers, including ADG and IG-ranked officials, have been deployed on the ground in Murshidabad. The Director General of Police promised stern action against those disrupting peace and urged citizens not to fall for provocations or fake news circulating on social media platforms. (Photo credit: PTI)

DGP Rajeev Kumar described the unrest as a battle between “good and evil” and appealed to the public not to take the law into their hands. He blamed unverified rumours for the latest clashes and reassured citizens that the police would take the strongest action against those involved in inciting violence. (Photo credit: PTI)

"My sincere appeal to all people of all religions, please remain calm, remain restrained. Do not engage in any unrighteous behavior in the name of religion. Every human life is precious, do not incite riots for the sake of politics. Those who are inciting riots are harming the society. Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitated against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee.