BJP MP Urges Centre to Impose AFSPA In Murshidabad

In his letter of April 13, Mr Mahato alleged that districts such as Murshidabad, Malda, Nadia and South 24 Parganas have seen violence against Hindus, with the state administration turning a “blind eye” due to what he called the ruling Trinamul Congress’ “appeasement” politics. Parts of Murshidabad and adjoining areas have been witnessing violent protests recently over the passing of the Waqf Amendment Act in Parliament.

He claimed that over 86 Hindu homes and shops were looted or destroyed in Murshidabad district recently and that civilians, including a man named Hargobindo Das and his son, were murdered. In Jhaubona village, he said, betel leaf plantations were set ablaze in what he described as “targeted economic sabotage”.

These are not isolated incidents, he claimed. Similar unrest has unfolded across border districts, leaving the “Hindu population vulnerable and voiceless”, the MP said.

Referring to violence that erupted over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the BJP MP alleged mobs attacked Hindu homes, public property and even police forces. The Calcutta high court had to intervene and order the deployment of Central paramilitary forces, highlighting the “state’s administrative failure”, he said.

Comparing the incident with the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, Mr Mahato warned a similar situation could emerge in West Bengal if immediate steps were not taken. “I most respectfully urge you to consider declaring AFSPA in the border districts of West Bengal,” he wrote, saying such a move would help restore law and order, deter future violence and assure Hindus that they are not abandoned.

Mr Mahato concluded the letter with a plea for “decisive action to ensure justice, security and the rule of law”.

Earlier, Ranaghat BJP MP Jagannath Sarkar also wrote to Mr Shah urging him to intervene urgently in the light of the “deteriorating” law and order situation in Murshidabad district of West Bengal.

He sought a high-level investigative and monitoring team from the Union home ministry and reinforcement of Central forces in vulnerable areas. Mr Sarkar demanded strict legal action on the perpetrators to restore peace and uphold constitutional rights.

During the virtual meeting with the Union home secretary on Saturday, West Bengal DGP Rajiv Kumar told him the situation was “tense, but under control” and was being closely monitored. He said he was taking the assistance of the BSF units posted locally, and that more than 150 persons have been arrested so far.

Mr Mohan advised the state administration to keep close watch on other sensitive districts too, and put in place adequate steps to ensure normalcy at the earliest. He also said that apart from nearly 300 BSF personnel locally available in Murshidabad, an additional five companies have been deployed at the request of the state government.

Three people have been killed in ongoing violent protests so far by a section of people from a particular community over the new Waqf Amendment Act in Murshidabad.

On Sunday, hundreds of people affected by communal violence in Murshidabad crossed the Bhagirathi River and took shelter in adjoining Malda. The local administration has arranged for accommodation and food for the fleeing riot-hit families and sheltered them in schools, while deploying volunteers at the river bank to assist those arriving in boats.