Fresh violence broke out in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district on Friday during a protest against the amended Waqf law. In Jangipur, protesters set a police jeep on fire and damaged several vehicles. They also vandalised the office of local TMC MP Khalilur Rehman. Train services were disrupted as demonstrators sat on the railway tracks. Along with a large police presence, BSF personnel have also been deployed in the area. Earlier, on April 8, protesters had blocked NH-12 at Umarpur in Jangipur and also burned police jeeps. Authorities had imposed prohibitory orders, and internet services were suspended during the unrest.

On Saturday, three people lost their lives in Murshidabad’s violent clashes. Police said Authorities have arrested 118 individuals in connection with the unrest that broke out in the Muslim-majority district on Friday. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that the state government will not enforce the amended Waqf law.

"We have made our position clear on this matter - we do not support this law. This law will not be implemented in our state. So what is the riot about?" CM Mamata Banerjee shared a post on X.

Her statement comes amid ongoing unrest in several areas of the state, particularly in the minority-heavy Murshidabad district, where protests against the Waqf Act have intensified in recent days. The Chief Minister has called for calm and unity, emphasising that the central government passed the legislation. Mamata Banerjee also warned against using religion for political gain and said strict legal action would be taken against anyone found provoking violence.

The Chief Minister pointed out, "Remember, we did not make the law that many are agitating against. The law was made by the central government. So the answer you want should be sought from the central government," making it clear that the state had no role in creating the legislation people are protesting.

Meanwhile, MP Abhishek Banerjee, also Mamata Banerjee's nephew, urged people to stay calm and said certain groups are attempting to "spread unrest in Bengal." "After failing to fight us politically on the issue of development, many are trying to spread unrest in Bengal by sowing divisions in the name of religion. I appeal to all today to maintain peace and uphold Bengal's legacy of harmony. We must all be alert and aware. Some people want Bengal to burn," stated the MP from Diamond Harbour.

Rajarshi Mitra, District Magistrate of Murshidabad, briefed The Indian Express, “We are ascertaining the damages,”. DIG PRO (South Bengal Frontier) Nilotpal Kumar Pandey stated, “There was a request from Murshidabad administration, and BSF…has mobilised troops to help the administration…”

According to the police, a group of people blocked National Highway 12 at the Shajurmore crossing near Dhulian in Jangipur on Friday afternoon to protest against the Waqf (Amendment) law. According to a police officer, “As policemen tried to lift the blockade, stones were pelted at them. The protesters set fire to a police jeep and a motorbike in the area.” TMC MP Rehman, speaking to The Indian Express, claimed there was a larger plan to tarnish the image of the state government. “There is a deep conspiracy to defame the state government. My own office in Dhulian was ransacked… I was travelling through Shajurmore crossing when the protesters stopped me… Police escorted me out… The protesters had no flag, no leaders,” he said.

Eastern Railway stated that protest-related blockades between Dhulianganga and Nimtita stations disrupted train operations. As a result, four express trains had to be rerouted, and two passenger trains were cancelled.

According to an Eastern Railway official quoted by PTI, “About 5,000 people sat on the railway tracks” at a level crossing gate. At the same time, agitators also damaged another gate between Dhulianganga and Nimtita stations.

In response to the unrest, Governor CV Ananda Bose gave “strict directions” to the TMC-led state government, urging action against those causing trouble in areas like Amtala, Suti, Dhuliyan, and several other locations in Murshidabad. According to a statement from the Raj Bhavan, the Governor also discussed the matter with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Leader of the Opposition and BJP MLA Suvendu Adhikari blamed the state government, saying, “Hooligans in the name of agitation are doing this in various parts of the state, including Murshidabad. The CM (Mamata Banerjee), who is also the home minister, is responsible. Police are acting like bystanders.”