A recent wave of violence in Murshidabad has raised red flags among security agencies, as investigations suggest the involvement of radical activists from the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), operating under the banner of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI). Intelligence agencies are also probing potential links to extremist organisations based in Bangladesh. Authorities believe the unrest was not spontaneous but a pre-planned act of communal provocation.
Police sources confirmed that the Bengal police received credible intelligence pointing to SDPI’s active role in orchestrating the protests. For several days leading up to the violence, SDPI workers had reportedly been moving through local neighborhoods, particularly targeting Muslim youth with fear-mongering narratives about the amended Waqf Bill.
“Workers of SDPI, founded in 2009 after SIMI was outlawed, went door to door in various areas, spreading fear among teenagers and youth, warning them that the government was planning to seize Muslim-owned properties in the name of Waqf reforms,” an Intelligence Branch (IB) officer said.
The situation escalated sharply following the death of Ijaz Ahmed, who was injured during a police clash and later died at a Murshidabad hospital on Saturday. “His family confirmed the presence of an SDPI-led campaign in the locality, further reinforcing the suspicions,” the officer added.
Radical groups have deep roots in Murshidabad
Murshidabad has a long history of extremist activity. It once served as a hub for SIMI and later became a stronghold of the Popular Front of India (PFI), another radical group with known ties to Bangladesh-based fundamentalist outfits. The SDPI, closely linked with both SIMI and PFI, is now reportedly well-established in the region.
Intelligence agencies had been consistently alerting the Union government about the activities of radical outfits like PFI and SDPI in Murshidabad. In September 2022, the Centre banned the PFI for five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), citing threats to national security.
According to police, the violence was highly coordinated. Protests first broke out in Suti, where demonstrators blocked the national highway. As police forces concentrated there, simultaneous arson and violence erupted in nearby Shamsherganj, around ten kilometers away. “This diversion tactic prevented a quick police response and allowed the rioters to inflict significant damage,” said a senior officer.
Disturbing role of minors and returnees
Among the most troubling elements was the involvement of youth and minors, many between the ages of 10 and 20. Viral videos and eyewitness accounts reveal that many participants were young, with some reportedly manipulated into joining the violence. Many of these boys were migrant laborers who had returned home from other states for the Eid holidays and had minimal formal education.
The violence resulted in extensive damage to public infrastructure and selective targeting of Hindu-owned shops and homes, pointing to an unmistakable communal undertone. Authorities are also probing the possibility of external involvement, including cross-border influences.
Police and central forces remain heavily deployed in Murshidabad, with heightened security measures in place. The state administration is now under intense pressure to restore order, ensure accountability, and address the deepening communal tensions in one of Bengal’s most sensitive districts.
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