An initial probe into the deadly violence that erupted across parts of West Bengal following protests against the Waqf law has pointed to the involvement of Bangladeshi miscreants, according to sources briefed by the Union Home Ministry.
The findings have sparked fresh concerns over cross-border infiltration and exposed lapses in border surveillance. It has also been blamed that the Mamata Banerjee-led government was allegedly incapable to monitor the inflow of intruders amid spiraling unrest in Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas districts.
Waqf Law Protests Turn Deadly in Border Areas
The protests, which began earlier this month after the passage of the amended Waqf law, have plunged parts of West Bengal into violence, leading to the deaths of three people and injuries to several others.
Murshidabad — a district bordering Bangladesh with a 66 percent Muslim population, as per the 2011 Census — has emerged as the epicenter of the unrest. Shops were looted, vehicles torched, and homes ransacked in areas like Suti and Samserganj, forcing many locals to flee their villages as mobs ran amok.
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In South 24 Parganas, protests turned violent in Bhangar when members of the India Secular Front (ISF) clashed with police while attempting to march toward Kolkata. Protesters set fire to vehicles and blocked roads, triggering a major law-and-order emergency.
Mamata Banerjee Government Under Fire
The Union Home Ministry was alerted after intelligence agencies flagged signs of Bangladeshi nationals participating in the riots. Critics have accused the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of failing to secure the border and maintain internal security during the volatile protests.
Governor CV Ananda Bose has sought a detailed report from the state government, while the Calcutta High Court has intervened, ordering the deployment of central paramilitary forces in sensitive areas to restore normalcy.
“The situation in Murshidabad is gradually returning to normal,” police officials said on Wednesday, confirming that at least 210 people have been arrested so far.
Why the Waqf Law Sparked Protests
West Bengal holds over 80,480 registered Waqf properties, making it the second-largest in India after Uttar Pradesh. The new Waqf law expands government oversight of these religious endowments, a move some Muslim groups have criticized as an attempt to “snatch community land.”
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The Centre has denied the allegations, asserting that the amendment merely seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Waqf properties.
Mamata Banerjee Calls for Calm
As violence spread, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged citizens to maintain peace, assuring the public that the controversial law will not be implemented in West Bengal. Banerjee has maintained that the legislation was pushed by the central government and that the state had no role in its passage.
“My sincere appeal to people of all religions: remain calm, do not engage in any act of violence. Every human life is precious,” Banerjee said in a public statement.
Border Security and Intelligence Gaps Highlighted
Security experts believe that the discovery of Bangladeshi involvement in the unrest will likely intensify scrutiny over cross-border infiltration and further strain the already contentious relationship between the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre.
The situation remains tense in select pockets, even as heavy police deployment and central forces continue to monitor the ground.
