In the aftermath of the April 8 incident of violence in Murshidabad, several villagers from the affected area expressed deep mistrust in the state police while calling the Border Security Force (BSF) their "saviour." The villagers from Jaffrabad and Degri, who are still overcoming the wounds of the attack, said the BSF came hours before the local police, whose absence from an unrest situation would have led to greater violence. They are now demanding a permanent BSF outpost in the area for their protection.

The incident raised political tensions again when Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP and BSF of starting the violence. While speaking to a group of Muslim religious leaders in Kolkata, the CM said, “I came across news claiming the role of elements from across the border in the Murshidabad unrest. Is it not the role of the BSF to guard the border? The BSF is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The state government does not guard the international border. The Central government can’t evade responsibility. I will find the local youths the BSF paid to throw stones during the violence."

Villagers from Jaffrabad in Shamsherganj said it was the BSF that first arrived on the riot scene. Seventy-two-year-old Haragobinda Das and his 40-year-old son Chandan were killed during the violence. A local resident , Ranjit Kumar Pal, said, “We fought the attackers for hours. We were tired of resisting them. We called the police a hundred times. They didn’t pick up the calls. When they did answer, the police told us, ‘Jaan bachake bhaago (Save yourselves and run)’. Around 2 pm, a BSF vehicle reached here, giving us the much-needed comfort."

He further said the local police arrived at around 4 pm. Ranjit's father, 50-year-old Balaram Pal, said the violence started around 9 am after an anti-Waqf protest turned communal. “He bought a bed four days ago. The bed has been completely burnt to ashes," said Balaram, as Ranjit corrects, “The whole house is burnt.”

Ranjit and his family are now living in the adjacent village with some relatives since their house is in ruins.

Victims' Families 

Swarup Das, nephew of deceased Haragobinda Das, said, “We were calling the police since 8.30 or 9 am. But the police turned up at 4 or 5 pm.” “We don’t trust the state authorities. We need the Centre…The Centre should set up a BSF camp here. Otherwise, we won’t be able to live here," added Swarup.

The West Bengal Police Special Task Force (STF) arrested six persons, namely Babul Sk. (24), Abdul Khalek (24), Saba Karim (25), Roni Sheikh (23), Manarul Sheikh (54), and Azfarul Sheikh (21), all residents of Sulitala, near Jaffrabad. So far, 10 accused individuals have been arrested. 

Sishir Das, an old childhood friend of Haragobinda Das, said, “Why would anyone do this to him? He was the most amicable person. He was equally good to people of both communities, Hindus as well as Muslims. I have never heard him utter a single abuse for anyone in my life."

Das, whose house too was burnt, said, “There was never any tension in this village. In fact, it was so peaceful that the elections were conducted with security by just civic volunteers here." He, too, agrees with Ranjit and Balaram’s charge of police turning up very late.

Haragobinda Das' widow has expressed total distrust in the state police. “We want a BSF camp here. A state police camp won’t do." When asked why, her reply was clear, “After so many calls for so long, the police did not turn up".

Villagers Demand President's Rule

Lili Pal urged for the BSF's immediate involvement while demanding the imposition of President's Rule in Bengal. “We want a BSF camp here. We demand the President’s Rule in Bengal," she said. 

“My request to the Prime Minister is that we should have a BSF camp in Jaffrabad. We will not survive if the BSF doesn’t stay here… Otherwise, the attackers will kill us. Nothing will be left," said Ranjit.