Synopsis
Amid ongoing unrest in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, the administration has extended Internet service suspensions to the neighboring districts of Malda and Birbhum. The situation remains tense due to protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, prompting increased security measures.Key Takeaways
- Internet service suspension extended to Malda and Birbhum.
- Violent protests in Murshidabad over the Waqf Act.
- Joint patrolling by state police and CAPF initiated.
- 500 families displaced and sheltered in Malda.
- BSF monitoring border areas for security.
Kolkata, April 14 (NationPress) In light of the escalating tension in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, which has experienced violent protests concerning the Waqf (Amendment) Act in recent days, authorities have opted to prolong the suspension of Internet services to the neighboring districts of Malda and Birbhum.
Additionally, more regions within Murshidabad have been included in the Internet suspension. Initially, the restrictions were primarily applied to areas severely impacted by unrest, such as Suti, Jangipur, Dhulian, and Samserganj.
A source from the state police indicated that the situation in Murshidabad has largely stabilized since joint patrols by the state police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) commenced on Saturday night, following a directive from a special division bench of the Calcutta High Court. However, the dissemination of misinformation via social media continues to pose a challenge for law enforcement.
The Internet service suspension in these newly affected areas is set to last until 10 p.m. on April 15, with future decisions contingent upon the prevailing circumstances.
Meanwhile, the Border Security Force (BSF), primarily assigned to the troubled regions, is expected to submit a detailed report after the visit of Ravi Gandhi, the BSF’s Additional Director General (Eastern Command), to the impacted zones.
During this visit, Gandhi will assess the BSF's personnel deployment and engage with senior state police officers to enhance coordination.
The BSF has also been instructed to maintain stringent security measures for villages near the International Borders with Bangladesh in both Murshidabad and Malda districts, preventing entry by members of underground extremist factions that could exacerbate the current tensions.
Reports indicate that around 500 families from various affected areas in Murshidabad are currently displaced and residing in a temporary relief camp at a school located in the adjacent Malda district. These families predominantly hail from the Dhulian and Samserganj regions.
