Calcutta: Indian armed forces have been dispatched to Murshidabad and other districts in West Bengal following a Calcutta High Court order highlighting the grave situation caused by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The court’s directive led to the deployment of paramilitary forces in sensitive regions such as Suti and Shamsherganj. The forces conducted overnight patrols, engaging with affected families to assess the situation.

According to Kashmir Media Service, an additional five companies of personnel have been sent to reinforce the nearly 300 BSF troops already present in Murshidabad. This action follows a request from the West Bengal government.

Justice Soumen Sen presided over a division bench that emphasized the need for immediate action to restore normalcy. The court noted that similar unrest has spread to other districts, including Amtala in South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, and Champdani in Hooghly.

The court criticized the delay in deploying central armed forces, suggesting earlier intervention could have mitigated the violence. It ordered the state government to compile and submit detailed reports on the situation.

The court expressed concern over recurring inter-community violence in the state, stressing the urgency of addressing the ongoing unrest. The case is set for another hearing on April 17.