The people of Bedbuna village of Jangipur in Murshidabad district are still unable to forget the scene when the crowd allegedly set fire to the 120 houses which came during the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on 11 April and looted cash, jewelry and cattle and left an uncertain future in front of them.
The victims say that the attackers came from outside and attacked huts with weapons and petrol, many people escaped after saving their lives. The district administration has assured the reconstruction of houses.
A victim Rahul Mandal said, “We ran away from behind and saved their lives. They took cattle and burnt houses.” Shanti, a resident of the village, said that many people have crossed the Bhagirathi river and have taken shelter with their relatives in Malda and Jharkhand. Many shops and houses have also been damaged in Dhulian.
A district official said that by the funding of the state, work will begin on a war footing for the reconstruction of the houses of the victims by next week.
Pharmacy Director Rajesh said that he had opened the shop after three days. He told, “We have been here for 50 years, it has never happened. Hopefully this nightmare will not be repeated again.”
Local resident Mohammad Akbar said, “The attackers were harming the properties of both Hindu-Muslims. They were outsiders, needing protection from administration.”
Pankaj Sarkar, another resident of Dhulian, said that digital payments are not possible due to internet closure and cash is over in ATMs. He said, “The living has become difficult. Hopefully the situation will improve soon.” Another rural Tapan Naskar alleged that the police came two hours after calling.
Another resident of the village, Santi said, “I am living here to a relative away from here. Some of my neighbors here have crossed the Bhagirathi river and moved to Malda district, where they have taken shelter in a school building.”
