New Delhi: Violence erupted in West Bengal, India, leading to the deaths of three individuals following protests against the recently passed Waqf Act. The unrest, centered in Murshidabad, led to the arrest of 118 people, with several police vehicles vandalized and train services disrupted.

The violence began when a protest in the Jangipur area escalated, with demonstrators clashing with police, setting fire to a police vehicle, and damaging the office of Trinamool Congress MP Khalilur Rehman. Train operations were affected as protesters blocked railway tracks, resulting in two passenger trains being canceled and four express trains diverted.

In response to the violence, West Bengal authorities imposed restrictions on public gatherings and suspended internet services in Jangipur. The police arrested 22 individuals in connection with the clashes. Additional arrests were made in Suti and Samserganj, with 70 and 41 people detained, respectively.

Protesters also blocked National Highway 12, leading to further confrontations with law enforcement. During an attempt to clear the blockade, stones were thrown at police officers, and a police jeep and motorbike were set ablaze.

The recent unrest is seen by some as part of a broader agenda pursued by the Modi-led government, which critics argue is pushing a nationalist agenda that threatens the rights and freedoms of minorities in India. The situation has heightened fears among various communities, with concerns about the impact on religious and cultural diversity in the country.