Murshidabad (West Bengal): The situation in Dhuliyan, a town in the Jangipur subdivision of Murshidabad district, has stabilized following violent protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act that took place on April 11, according to officials.
To restore order, security personnel, including BSF and CRPF forces, have been deployed in the area, and authorities report that the situation is now under control.
Local residents recounted the chaos that occurred during the protests, which caused significant damage to shops and properties. One shopkeeper detailed the destruction, stating, “My entire building has been destroyed. All the glass has shattered. The rear side of the building was weak—it had wooden windows and doors. They broke through that and caused complete destruction, even looting some of our belongings. Opposite my building is my shop, which also suffered damage. I had around Rs 13.5 lakh in cash intended for deposit at the bank, but it was all stolen. Additionally, the furniture and equipment in my shop were worth around Rs 7-8 lakh, totaling losses of nearly Rs 20-25 lakh.”
Another shopkeeper, Adhir Ravi Das, expressed his frustration: “My shop has been completely destroyed. Nothing is left. If the administration provides assistance, we might be able to reopen; otherwise, there’s nothing we can do. My shop contained materials worth Rs 6-7 lakh, and everything has been burned. We want peace. The presence of the BSF has helped normalize the situation, but we are uncertain about what will happen if they leave. We hope to have a BSF camp here.”
Shopkeeper Habib-ur-Rehman reported an improvement in conditions, stating, “The situation in Samserganj is now normal. The administration is encouraging us to reopen our shops and behave responsibly. The arrival of the BSF and CRPF has made a difference.”
Security forces are continuing to patrol sensitive areas to maintain stability, and the administration has urged residents to remain calm and return to their normal activities.
