Bangladesh dismisses involvement in Murshidabad violence, urges security for Muslims

Press secretary calls on India and West Bengal to ensure security for the Muslim minority community

Chief Advisor's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has strongly condemned any attempt to link Bangladesh in the communal violence that erupted in India’s Murshidabad.

He also urged the Indian and West Bengal governments to take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the Muslim minority in the neighbouring country.

In a statement on Facebook on Thursday, Shafiqul said: "We firmly reject any attempts to link Bangladesh to the communal violence in Murshidabad.

“We strongly condemn the attacks on Muslims and the damage to their lives and properties,” he said.

“We call on the Indian and West Bengal governments to take all necessary steps to ensure the full security of the Muslim minority community," he added.

The violence in Murshidabad, which occurred on Apr 11, was triggered by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

The unrest resulted in three deaths and the arrest of 118 individuals.

According to Indian media reports, the protests in the Jangipur area of Murshidabad turned violent with stone-pelting at police, the setting of police vehicles on fire, and the vandalism of vehicles and motorcycles.

The situation led to widespread unrest in the Shajurmod and Dhulian areas, although calm had largely returned by the following morning, with heightened security measures in place.

BBC Bangla reported that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused "Bangladeshi miscreants" of being involved in the violence.

She also blamed the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the unrest.

Speaking at a pre-scheduled meeting with Imams and Muezzins of mosques in Kolkata, Mamata referred to the violence as a "pre-planned riot" and accused the BJP of being behind it.

Her speech, largely in Hindi, appeared to target non-Bengali-speaking Muslims.

In response, the BJP has questioned the number of Bangladeshis among over 200 individuals arrested in connection with the violence, calling for the release of this information.