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West Bengal waqf protest: Key accused involved in Murshidabad violence held

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 4/21/2025 11:03:39 AM

KOLKATA, APR 20 West Bengal police have arrested one of the key persons involved in the murder of father and son in violence-hit Murshidabad. Three persons were killed in the violence that erupted during protests against the amended Waqf law in the state. According to police, the arrested person has been identified as Ziaul Sheikh, a resident of Sulitala Purbapara, the neighbouring village of Jafrabad. Sheikh was at large since the murder of father and son on April 12. Sheikh allegedly escaped to Uttar Dinajpur after the incident. "This person is one of the prime accused who had conspired and instigated a mob to carry out vandalism at the residence of the deceased and killed Haragobindo Das and his son Chandan Das on April 12," a senior officer involved with the probe told PTI. The official said police have collected necessary evidence against Sheikh, including CCTV footage and his mobile phone tower location to prove his involvement in the crime. Sheikh was arrested by the Special Task Force (STF) and the Special Investigating Team (SIT) from his hideout in Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur district, police said. Violence erupted in Murshidabad amid protests against the recently introduced amended Waqf law in West Bengal. The Calcutta High Court ordered the deployment of central paramilitary forces to control the situation.