In an urgent intervention, the Calcutta High Court has ordered the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in Murshidabad, West Bengal, after violent clashes broke out during protests against the Anti-Waqf Bill. The violence, which unfolded on Saturday, reportedly led to the tragic loss of multiple lives.
The matter was brought before the court through an urgent plea filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari. Responding swiftly to the plea, Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam formed a special division bench comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Raja Basu Chowdhury to hear the case.
During the hearing, the court was informed that the violent incidents had already claimed at least three lives. Deeply concerned by the seriousness of the situation, the bench directed the immediate deployment of Central Forces to the affected area.
"The court cannot turn a blind eye to such incidents," the bench observed while issuing the order.
The judges also made it clear that the Central Forces must coordinate and work alongside the West Bengal state administration to bring the situation under control and ensure peace and safety for the local community.
In addition to ordering the deployment, the High Court has asked both the state government and the central government to file detailed status reports on the prevailing conditions in Murshidabad. The bench stressed the importance of maintaining law and order and the need for transparency in the authorities' actions.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on April 17, where the court will review the reports submitted by both the Centre and the state government to assess the next steps.
