Waqf protest turns violent in Bengal; ISF workers clash with police, several hurt

Supporters of the Indian Secular Front (ISF) on Monday clashed with the police at Bhangar in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, leading to several injuries and torching of multiple police vehicles.

ISF, in alliance with the CPM and Congress, is leading the protest against the recent Waqf Act brought in by the Narendra Modi government.

The clash erupted when police stopped ISF supporters from heading towards Ramlila Maidan in central Kolkata to attend an anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act rally addressed by party leader and Bhangar MLA Naushad Siddique, reported PTI.

According to police sources, the rallyists were stopped near Bhojerhat on the Basanti Highway, where a large number of ISF workers had gathered from Bhangar as well as neighbouring areas such as Minakhan and Sandeshkhali.

Tension escalated when the crowd attempted to break through police barricades, leading to a clash between the two sides.

"Some police vehicles were set on fire by the protesters and a few police personnel were injured when the agitators attacked the law enforcers," a senior police officer said.

Eyewitnesses said police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the protesters, as the rally at Ramlila Ground didn't have proper police permission, leading to at least one ISF worker sustaining a head injury.

The situation spiralled quickly, prompting ISF activists to sit on a protest on the highway, leading to long traffic snarl-ups along the stretch.

A large police force, including senior officers, was deployed to bring the situation under control. A high alert was sounded in the nearby areas. The protesters were later dispersed.

Addressing the gathering in Kolkata, Siddique criticised the Waqf (Amendment) Act and demanded its withdrawal.

"This law is not just an attack on Muslims, it is an assault on the Constitution. We won't accept this Act. The government that supports such laws must go," he said.

ISF also accused the BJP of trying to incite communal tension, and the ruling Trinamool Congress of suppressing opposition protests.

"The chief minister has said the new Waqf law will not be implemented in West Bengal. We welcome that. But then why are police stopping our workers from attending a peaceful rally? Does the right to protest belong only to the Trinamool Congress?" he asked.

Canning Purba TMC MLA Showkat Mollah, dismissed the ISF as a "party of no consequence."

"They are trying to provoke unrest and create disturbances. They have no mass base," Mollah alleged.

The situation in Bhangar is completely under control, the police said on Monday night.

"Specific cases have been registered against miscreants involved in damaging public property, and raids are ongoing to apprehend them. The public is advised not to heed rumours. Stringent legal action will also be taken against those found spreading misinformation," Kolkata Police said in a post on X.

Communal violence took place in parts of Murshidabad, including Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur, on Friday and Saturday during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. At least three people were killed and several others injured in the violence.

Visuals from the affected areas showed charred remains of shops, homes, and hotels.

In a bid to calm tempers, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday announced that her government would not implement the Waqf Act in the state.

Acting on a petition filed by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, the Calcutta High Court on Saturday directed the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the violence-hit areas to maintain law and order.