Bengal Guv Vows ‘Proactive Action’ After Meeting Murshidabad Victims; NCW Chief Expresses ‘Shock’ — Updates

Aligarh News April 19, 2025

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At a Malda relief camp, displaced residents protested police restrictions on meeting Governor Bose, who assessed communal violence in Murshidabad. They alleged censorship and poor living conditions.

Tensions flared at a relief camp in West Bengal’s Malda district on Friday as displaced residents staged a protest, alleging police restrictions on meeting Governor CV Ananda Bose, who was visiting the area to assess the situation following the recent communal clashes in Murshidabad district. Governor Bose met families affected by the violence and said he wanted to independently verify ground reports.

People alleged that police did not allow them to meet with Governor CV Ananda Bose and staged a protest, news agency ANI.

Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, at the refugee camp located at Parlalpur High School in Baishnabnagar, spoke to children, women, and men who had sought refuge there. "I met the family members who are in the camp here. I listened to their grievances and understood their feelings. They have briefed me in detail and also told me what they wanted. There will certainly be some proactive action taken,” he remarked.

After interacting with children and listening to the grievances of displaced families, he said, “The women said miscreants came and attacked their houses, looted their property and they were forcibly evicted.” Responding to concerns over poor living conditions, he assured that he would seek a detailed report and discuss the matter with the administration. Officials from the Raj Bhawan took note of the complaints.

Earlier in the day, he remarked on his visit and said, “I will meet the victims and verify the reports we have received. I will visit hospitals, residences of victims and the relief camps. Central forces and state police are working together to restore normalcy. After meeting the victims, I will submit my recommendations.”

Governor Bose told ANI, “The cult of violence is a reality in Bengal. We have two cancerous growths on the body politic of West Bengal – one is violence, and the other is corruption. We must strike at the root of this. I’m sure that victory will be ours.”

Protests Over Conditions In Relief Camps: 'Police Are Treating Us Like Criminals'

During his visit to the Parlalpur High School relief camp in Baishnabnagar, where several hundred have taken shelter since the April 11–12 violence, residents alleged censorship and harsh conditions. “This camp feels worse than a prison. Police are not allowing us to meet anyone and narrate our ordeal,” one resident told reporters, as quoted by news agency PTI.

Tensions escalated briefly when protesters broke barricades and confronted district officials. Some women alleged police harassment and said they were being threatened at night to not speak to outsiders. “Police are treating us like criminals. We are being given dry rotis, bananas and stale rice. It is hard to tell whether we are in a refugee camp or a detention centre,” a woman told reporters, as per PTI.

NHRC Fact-Finding Team Visits Jafrabad

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has taken suo motu cognisance of the violence, sent a fact-finding team to the Jafrabad region and has sought a detailed report from the state government within three weeks. PTI reported that NHRC members spoke with affected families at the Parlalpur camp to assess the situation firsthand.

NCW Delegations Meets Relief Camp, Chairperson Says 'Shocked By Condition Of Women And Children'

A delegation from the National Commission for Women (NCW), led by chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, also visited the camp. “I am shocked by the condition of women and children here. They were forcibly evicted from their homes and have gone through unimaginable trauma,” Rahatkar told reporters, as per PTI. NCW member Archana Majumdar, accompanying her, alleged, “Women were molested and driven out of their homes. It is the state government’s responsibility to ensure their safety. What is the TMC doing? Is the government trying to turn West Bengal into another Bangladesh?”

The NCW delegation is expected to remain in Malda overnight and proceed to Murshidabad on Saturday. Meetings with district officials, victims, the Governor, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police in Kolkata are scheduled for Sunday.

TMC, BJP Spar Over Bengal Governor's Visit To Relief Camps

Reacting to the Governor’s visit, the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused him and the visiting teams of attempting to stoke tension. “When the CM had requested him to delay the visit, the Governor should have honoured that. His actions show an intent to create unrest. The NCW and NHRC visits are also politically driven to help the BJP destabilise the situation,” senior TMC MP Sougata Roy told PTI.

In response, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the TMC of shielding those responsible for the violence for vote-bank politics. “The TMC is panicking because these visits might expose their nexus with the rioters. They are appeasing miscreants for political gains,” he remarked.

Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee told ANI that the BJP was politicising the situation. “They (BJP) have been demanding President’s rule (in West Bengal) since 2019. This is their routine demand. We do not give this demand any importance. The matter is going on in the High Court. The High Court is satisfied with the steps taken by us. The situation was definitely bad, but it has improved due to the steps taken by the state government and the state government also took the help of central paramilitary forces. All forces worked together and peace has been restored,” he said.

Banerjee added, “Everything is normal in Murshidabad district… BJP is trying to do politics. Amit Shah is also engaging in politics instead of taking the necessary steps… They hatched a plan to indulge in riots.”

'Situation Is Absolutely Fine, 272 Accused Arrested': Cop On Murshidabad Violence Case

According to police, at least three people were killed and 274 arrested in connection with the violence that erupted in Muslim-majority areas such as Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian and Jangipur. Paramilitary forces have been deployed alongside the state police to prevent further escalation, and security remains heightened.

Jangipur Superintendent of Police Ananda Roy told ANI, “The situation is absolutely fine now… We have registered 122 cases and arrested 272 accused so far. Internet services have been restored.”

The violence reportedly broke out during protests by sections of the Muslim community against the Centre’s amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which they allege would centralise control over Muslim charitable properties and allow for their misuse.

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