‘I Request…’: Mamata Banerjee Urges Bengal Governor To Delay Visit To Violence-Hit Murshidabad
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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apprised state governor CV Ananda Bose that an SIT is probing the situation in violence-hit Murshidabad district.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged CV Ananda Bose, the state’s governor, to “allow some more time before intervening”. (IMAGE: PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday requested state governor CV Ananda Bose to delay his visit to violence-hit Murshidabad district. Bose is expected to visit the district facing unrest due to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Meanwhile, Bose on Thursday, while addressing a press conference, said he will go to the district to “assess the situation”.
“The Chief Minister’s request will be taken up… I, myself, will go to the ground to assess the situation,” CV Ananda Bose said. His office said he will reach the district on Thursday night and is expected to visit violence-hit areas on Friday morning.
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Banerjee urged CV Ananda Bose, the state’s governor, to “allow some more time before intervening” and apprised him that an SIT is probing the situation in violence-hit Murshidabad district.
West Bengal has witnessed incidents of violence following protests against the Waqf Act, leading to the migration of riot-hit people, especially in Murshidabad district.
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“A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the situation in Murshidabad. I request that no one visit the area for now,” the West Bengal CM said.
“I will also request the Governor to allow some more time before intervening. Our Women’s Commission had also expressed interest in visiting, but I have advised them to wait for a few days,” Mamata Banerjee further added.
Violence erupted on April 11 and 12 in pockets of Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian and Jangipur, during protests against the amended Waqf Act. Three people were killed, several persons injured, and many properties were set ablaze during the clashes last week, prompting a heavy deployment of police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and central forces in the area.
On April 14, fresh incidents of violence rocked Bhangar area in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district even as police claimed the law and order situation in Murshidabad remained largely under control.
Around 17 companies of central forces currently remain deployed in the trouble-torn pockets of Suti, Samserganj-Dhulian in Murshidabad.
In the Mandirpara area of Dhulian, numerous women were allegedly molested during the violence.
The violence forced hundreds of women to flee their homes, with many crossing the Bhagirathi river to seek shelter in neighbouring Malda district.
It said NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar has taken suo motu cognisance of the incident and will visit the affected areas to assess the situation and meet victims.
Mamata Banerjee also referred to the planned visit by the NCW officials and said Bengal state women’s commission officials will also visit the area. “Our Women’s Commission had also expressed interest in visiting, but I have advised them to wait for a few days,” she said.
Mamata Demands BSF Be Probed
Banerjee announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and instructed the chief secretary to initiate a formal inquiry into the Border Security Forces (BSF).
She also accused Home Minister Amit Shah of misusing central agencies and orchestrating a systematic propaganda campaign to malign the image of Bengal.
West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sukanta Majumdar demanded Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s resignation over what he termed a breakdown of law and order on Wednesday and criticised Banerjee for not visiting the district.
The Chief Minister, however, said on Thursday that she plans to visit soon. “What is now needed is for the people to regain confidence. While I could have visited, I will go at the appropriate time,” she said.
