Bengal Clashes: TMC MLA Alleges Police Were Not Active On Day 1, Will Not Allow Violence, Says DG

Last Updated:April 13, 2025, 13:12 IST

While the BJP is blaming the TMC’s appeasement, the TMC on, the other hand, is saying that BJP is inciting people. The BJP has also raised questions on the role of the police

Even as the situation in Murshidabad remains tense, a political war of words has erupted between the Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Trinamool Congress (TMC). While the BJP is blaming the TMC’s appeasement, the TMC on, the other hand, is saying that BJP is inciting people. The BJP has also raised questions on the role of the police.

Amid the claims and counters, News18 spoke to TMC’s MLA from Farakka Manirul who alleged that he was attacked in Murshidabad and that the police were not up to the mark in handling the situation.

Speaking to News18, Manirul said, “They broke CCTV cameras and damaged my house. They were unorganised young boys aged 13 to 19. They also attacked today morning and let me tell you they were saying that TMC leaders are not doing anything. Rather let me tell you, the police were not active on the first day. Now huge deployment is there. We are now roaming. Now things are okay.”

He also asked what could the TMC leaders have done in such a situation.

POLICE WILL NOT ALLOW ANY TYPE OF VIOLENCE: DG

DG Rajiv Kumar, meanwhile, said, “The police is not at all shy to take action. The police will not allow any type of violence and also rumour-mongering. We will definitely protect the life and property of people. This is the time to work together. This is not the time for scoring points, this is the time to maintain law and order. No violence will be tolerated and anybody trying to disrupt, stringent actions will be taken.”

Around 150 people have been arrested, 15 police personnel have been injured and three deaths have been reported so far. Police have admitted that on day one, they had to use four rounds of firing and that Saturday’s firing was possibly done by the BSF.

The Calcutta High Court’s order for central forces deployment came after a petition of Suvendu Adhikary and the court has clearly stated that in this situation they can’t be mute spectators.

The DG and all top cops are now in Murshidabad with eight companies of the the BSF and 400 CRPF personnel on ground.

WHAT DID THE COURT SAY?

• “The duty of the court is to protect the citizen. Every citizen has the right to life and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that the life and property of every citizen are secured. The court points out that frequent disturbances do take place between two communities. It is undeniable that there have been frequent instances of violence between communities at different parts in the state of West Bengal and the disquieting situation prevailing till today cannot be ignored,” the HC said.
• “Although we have noted the stand of the State that the State is making an endeavour to ensure co-existence of different communities in peace and harmony the measures so far taken do not appear to be adequate. The situation is grave. The situation is grave and volatile. Action is to be taken against the culprits to arrest the atrocities committed on innocent citizens on a war footing. The court cannot be a mute spectator. Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are in danger,” the court said.
• The HC stated: “The deployment of Central Armed forces earlier could have de-escalated the situations as it appears adequate measures have not been taken in time. The court cannot turn a blind eye. We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie shows vandalism in a few districts of the State of West Bengal. The purpose of deployment is to help State Force.”
• “The purpose of deployment of the para-military forces or Central Armed Police Force is only for the purpose of facilitating the State Administration to ensure the safety and security of the population in this State. It cannot be denied that there is an internal disturbance in some of the districts in the State which inter alia, include Murshidabad. Force can be used in other districts if required,” the court said.
• “It would also be open for the State administration to engage para-military forces or Central Armed Police Force to ensure that no escalation of violence takes place and the life and property of the population of the said locality are safe and secured,” the HC said.
• “Accordingly, we direct, the deployment of Central Armed Forces in the district of Murshidabad who shall operate in the District in co-operation with the civil administration so that the situation which has necessitated the deployment of the armed forces is effectively dealt with and normalcy is restored. This direction, however, shall not be limited to the district of Murshidabad and as and when required it should be extended to other districts faced with a similar situation in which case the Central Forces may be deployed immediately to arrest the situation and bring normalcy.”
• “The report should be submitted. A comprehensive report shall be filed by the State with regard to the steps taken pursuant to our order on the adjourned date upon prior service to the parties,” the HC said.

Meanwhile, many have fled their homes and some are now staying in parts of Maldah.

“Bengalis are being forced to relive the horrors of the 1946 Great Calcutta Killings—this time in Murshidabad—as hundreds of Hindus flee, while jihadi mobs unleash a reign of terror in Dhuliyan, Samserganj, and Suti, all under the pretext of protesting the Waqf Amendment Act,” BJP’s Amit Malviya posted on X.