Demonstrations took place on Friday against the Waqf law in many parts of West Bengal. The protesters set fire to vehicles during this period and disrupted road and rail traffic. Some policemen were also injured in an attempt to control the crowd. The officers provided this information.
He said the protest at Sati in Murshidabad district became violent when the protesters gathered and blocked the roads despite prohibitory orders. The protesters pelted stones at the security personnel, setting fire to police vans and public buses during the procession.
According to a senior police officer, the problem began when people from the Muslim community gathered after the prayers of Jumme and demonstrated against the Waqf law.
He blocked a part of National Highway-12 from Dakbangla Mor to Sutir Sajur Mor in Shamsherganj. “The protest became violent when the protesters pelted stones at a police van,” he said. As a result, there was a clash between the police and the protesters, in which about 10 policemen were injured.
The official said some protesters threw bombs at the policemen after which the police lathi-charged to bring “uncontrolled mob” and later released tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.
Another official said that amidst the violence, some policemen had to take shelter in a nearby mosque. At the same time, the district administration has requested the Border Security Force (BSF) to intervene to restore the general situation.
According to officials, protesters in Malda staged a sit -in on the railway tracks, affecting the movement of the train. He said that train services were also affected on the Farakka-Azimganj section of Eastern Railway. Meanwhile, Governor CV Anand Bose has asked the state government to take immediate and effective action against those responsible for disturbances in sensitive areas.