Protests Over Waqf Act in Bengal: Fresh Clashes Erupt in Dhuliyan

A torched vehicle during a protest against Waqf (Amendment) Act, in Murshidabad district (PTI)

Tensions flared as protesters attacked the residence of Farakka TMC MLA Manirul Islam

Murshidabad: Fresh violence broke out in Dhuliyan town of Murshidabad district on Saturday April 12 , 2025 morning, escalating ongoing unrest linked to protests over the Waqf Act. Clashes between protesters and locals in the Shiva Temple Bazar area under Ward 21 of Dhuliyan Municipality left two bidi factory workers, including a 12-year-old boy, with gunshot injuries. The situation remains tense, with security forces struggling to restore order.

According to police sources, the victims — Golam Moinuddin Seikh (21) and the minor — were on their way to work at a local bidi factory when they were intercepted by a mob of protesters who allegedly tried to prevent them from entering the premises. In the chaos, private security personnel reportedly attempted to intervene, and firing ensued. Both victims were rushed to Jangipur Hospital where they are undergoing surgery. It remains unclear who opened fire — the BSF, police, or private guards — with police denying involvement. Relatives of the injured allege that factory security personnel fired the shots.

Elsewhere in the town, tensions flared as protesters attacked the residence of Farakka TMC MLA Manirul Islam, located near the Samserganj police station. The mob reportedly ransacked the house and attempted to heckle the MLA. The attack is believed to be in retaliation for an incident on Friday, where the MLA’s brother was accused of firing at a teenage protester, Mosharrof Hossain, who was later shifted to a private hospital in Kolkata. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar has demanded accountability, while the MLA denied any involvement.

Protesters also targeted government infrastructure, ransacking the Dhuliyan town traffic control outpost, the relay signal room at Dhuliyan Ganga railway station, and the 45/B rail gate. Stones were thrown at railway offices, forcing authorities to cancel, bypass, or short-route several trains in the Jangipur area to avoid further escalation.

Heavy deployment of BSF, Rapid Action Force (RAF), Railway Protection Force (RPF), and state police continues in the troubled areas, though miscreants are reportedly regrouping in smaller clusters. Dhuliyan’s markets, municipality office, and even emergency services have remained shut since the morning.

Local leaders including Farakka MLA Manirul Islam, Samserganj MLA Amirul Islam, and Jangipur MP Khalilur Rahaman made attempts to calm the crowds via public announcements but were forced to retreat by their security personnel as the protesters remained unyielding.

So far, 118 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence since the unrest began last week. Additional Director General (ADG) Ajoy Nanda is overseeing the situation along with BSF, RPF, and state police forces.

Amid growing concern, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, has written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw demanding a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the vandalism of railway property across the region.

Despite the increased security presence, the situation in Dhuliyan remains volatile.