BJP leader Amit Malviya has claimed that Hindu homes were targeted and kept under ‘close watch’ and “these properties were systematically torched” during the recent violence over Waqf protests in West Bengal’s Murshidabad. Malviya accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of “encouraging demographic change in border districts just to remain in power.”

Taking to X on Saturday, the BJP’s IT Cell head and Co-in charge of West Bengal posted, “Shocking details emerging from Murshidabad! Before the arson attacks began, homes belonging to Hindu families were marked with ink and kept under close watch. After days of surveillance, these properties were systematically torched. Reports suggest that two local Muslim residents supplied key information to the attackers, helping them pinpoint Hindu-owned houses and shops.

Disturbingly, similar targeted violence is said to occur regularly—particularly on Fridays. Mamata Banerjee is encouraging demographic change in border districts just to remain in power.”

Hindu women being taunted, threatened: BJP

Sharing a video where a local woman can be heard saying in Bengali how Hindu women are being targeted, teased and threatened in Murshidabad, the senior BJP leader wrote, “Muslims won’t let us live. They hold knives to our throats, hurl bombs. When we step out onto the streets, they taunt us — ‘Hindu girl, Hindu girl.’ But look at us — we don’t behave like that.”

“This is the grim reality of present-day Murshidabad. Mamata Banerjee cannot buy the silence of these grieving women,” he added.

“Muslims won’t let us live. They hold knives to our throats, hurl bombs. When we step out onto the streets, they taunt us — ‘Hindu girl, Hindu girl.’ But look at us — we don’t behave like that.”

This is the grim reality of present-day Murshidabad. Mamata Banerjee cannot buy the… pic.twitter.com/GWT06RuPqS

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 19, 2025

Murshidabad father-son murder accused arrested

Meanwhile, the prime accused in the murder of a father and son at Jaffarabad in Murshidabad during the riots, Inzamul Haque has been arrested. He is accused of murdering father-son duo Haragobind Das and Chandan Das. The accused, who tried to flee has been caught from the Suti area of Murshidabad late on Wednesday and will be produced before a Court.

The West Bengal police said on Thursday that 60 FIRs have been lodged in connection with the violence in Murshidabad district and the number of arrests has climbed to more than 270. Additional Director General of Police (South Bengal) Supratim Sarkar said that a special investigation team has been formed which will be led by Syed Waquar Raza, DIG, Murshidabad range.

West Bengal Governor visits Malda and Murshidabad

West Bengal Governor Dr CV Ananda Bose visited the worst-affected areas of Murshidabad on Saturday. The Governor on Friday defied Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s request to avoid visiting the violence-affected regions of Murshidabad, choosing instead to directly interact with victims of recent clashes in Jangipur and Dhulian.

Dr Bose took a train to Malda in the morning and proceeded to Parlalpur High School, where nearly 400 families displaced by the April 11 violence in Suti and Samserganj have taken refuge. Speaking after his visit, the Governor said, “I met the homeless people at the camp. They are still scared and have requested permanent protection from the Border Security Force. They were assaulted and now seek justice. Peace and harmony must be restored in these areas.”
He further added, “This kind of violence and unrest is never acceptable. Ground-level efforts to restore normalcy are already underway.”

A day prior to the Governor’s visit, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged restraint, cautioning that high-profile visits to the disturbed area might disrupt ongoing peace efforts. “I appeal to all not to visit Murshidabad now. If I go, others will follow, and this could disturb the peace-building process,” she had said.