5,000 Disrupt Services & Pelt Stones at Bengal Railway Station During Protest against Waqf Act
West Bengal has been witnessing widespread protests against the Waqf Act recently, and the latest incident has taken a violent turn. On Friday, nearly 5,000 people disrupted train services near Dhulianganga station, causing significant inconvenience to commuters. Moreover, the mob also resorted to stone pelting, damaging property and disrupting normal functioning.
According to reports, the Kamakhya-Puri Express was affected due to the agitation, leaving passengers stranded. The incident occurred around 1 pm, when a large number of protesters gathered at the station. The situation quickly escalated, with the mob starting to pelt stones and damaging equipment.
A guard at the station described the scene as chaotic, stating that “many things were destroyed, and the signal couldn’t be passed.” The disruption not only affected the Kamakhya-Puri Express but also other trains that were supposed to pass through the station.
The protests against the Waqf Act have been ongoing in West Bengal for several days, with various groups and organizations participating in the demonstrations. The act, which aims to regulate the management and administration of waqf properties in the state, has been met with widespread resistance from various quarters.
The protesters have been demanding the withdrawal of the act, claiming that it will lead to the erosion of Muslim rights and the takeover of waqf properties by the government. The agitation has been largely peaceful, with protesters resorting to sit-ins, rallies, and other forms of demonstrations.
However, the recent incident at Dhulianganga station is a stark reminder of the potential for violence and disruption that these protests can cause. The disruption of train services has not only caused inconvenience to passengers but also affected the normal functioning of the railway station.
The Eastern Railways has condemned the incident and assured that they are taking necessary steps to restore normalcy to the station. The authorities have also promised to provide compensation to the passengers who were affected by the agitation.
In a statement, the Eastern Railways said, “The service of Kamakhya-Puri Express was affected due to the agitation of a large number of people at Dhulianganga station. The situation is under control now, and we are taking necessary steps to restore normalcy to the station.”
The incident at Dhulianganga station is the latest in a series of protests against the Waqf Act in West Bengal. While the act aims to promote transparency and accountability in the management of waqf properties, the protesters claim that it will lead to the erosion of Muslim rights and the takeover of these properties by the government.
The protests have been largely peaceful, with protesters resorting to sit-ins, rallies, and other forms of demonstrations. However, the recent incident at Dhulianganga station is a stark reminder of the potential for violence and disruption that these protests can cause.
The authorities have assured that they are taking necessary steps to restore normalcy to the station and provide compensation to the passengers who were affected by the agitation. The incident is also a reminder of the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the protests.
In conclusion, the incident at Dhulianganga station is a disturbing reminder of the potential for violence and disruption that protests can cause. While the protests against the Waqf Act are a legitimate form of expression, it is essential that they are conducted peacefully and without causing harm to others.
The authorities must take necessary steps to ensure that the protests are peaceful and do not disrupt the normal functioning of essential services like transportation. It is also essential that the authorities provide compensation to the passengers who were affected by the agitation and restore normalcy to the station.
The protests against the Waqf Act are a complex issue, and it is essential that all stakeholders come together to find a peaceful and lasting solution. The recent incident at Dhulianganga station is a stark reminder of the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the protests.
