Murshidabad Waqf Protests: High Court Orders Deployment of Central Forces

The law and order situation in Murshidabad district has worsened considerably because of the violent protests against the Waqf issue. The Calcutta High Court directed the deployment of central forces as the state government was unable to keep the situation under control. The court noted that the state police are not in a position to manage the situation and stringent action is required to maintain public safety.

Protests have recently begun in various regions of the state against the contentious decision on the Waqf Board, with Murshidabad emerging as one of the hotspots. Violent tensions have erupted in various incidents there. It has been claimed that the situation has been made more complex because of the absence of adequate resistance from the state administration.

In this regard, the High Court, during the hearing of a public interest litigation, stated that the central forces must be deployed forthwith and their deployment must be sustained if required until the situation becomes normal. While the opposition party welcomed the court's judgment, there has been no response from the state government so far.

This incident has again instilled an environment of state-center confrontation, with doubts being raised about the functioning of the state in ensuring law and order. Analysts feel that this order of the High Court sends a large message in the political and administrative context.