Waqf protest turns violent in Amtala, police vehicles vandalized

After Jangipur, the wave of unrest over the Waqf Amendment Act has now reached South 24 Parganas’ Amtala, turning the area into a virtual battlefield on Friday. Protesters clashed with police forces and vandalized multiple police vehicles. Law enforcement officials faced stiff resistance as they tried to control the escalating situation. The agitation led to chaotic scenes in the streets, with traffic coming to a halt and panic spreading among residents.

The situation reportedly spiraled when a large crowd assembled at Amtala, raising slogans against the Waqf Amendment Act. As tensions rose, the gathering soon turned aggressive, pelting stones and damaging public property. Police had to resort to lathi-charge and dispersal tactics to bring the situation under control. Authorities later confirmed that the situation in Amtala is now stable and no fresh incidents have been reported.

However, the unrest did not remain isolated to South 24 Parganas. In Murshidabad's Shamsherganj, particularly in the Suti area, Section 144 was openly violated as agitators took to the roads again. Protesters blocked routes and clashed with law enforcement. The situation became dire when stones were hurled at the police, leaving Farakka SDPO Shamilul Islam Khan injured. Security forces quickly mobilized reinforcements to the area to avoid further escalation.

Local police sources said they are keeping a close watch on sensitive zones and have appealed to the public to maintain calm. Senior officers are on the ground monitoring the situation, and multiple flag marches have been conducted in the affected regions.