'They just fled out of fear': TMC MLA denies reports of vandalism in Murshidabad

NEW DELHI: TMC MLA from Samsherganj Amirul Islam on Sunday denied reports of vandalism in Murshidabad, asserting that the displaced families from Dhuliyan returned home willingly. His comments came as families who had fled from Dhuliyan to a relief camp in Malda due to widespread violence in the district were brought back to their homes under tight security arrangements.

"These people were not brought back, they have willingly returned... The houses in their area were not vandalised, they just fled out of fear. And now they are returning home... Our city is returning to normalcy. It has been seven days and the situation is peaceful... Our brotherhood will prevail," he said.

This statement comes amid ongoing tensions following the violence in Murshidabad, which led to hundreds of families fleeing their homes. Islam's comments were echoed by TMC MP Khalilur Rahaman, who expressed relief over the return of those displaced by the violence. Rahaman said, "It is a good thing that our friends who migrated from Dhuliyan are now coming back home out of their own will. The atmosphere in Dhuliyan is very peaceful. This is what everyone wants and it will continue like this."

The violence, which broke out in multiple areas of Murshidabad, prompted many families to flee to relief camps in neighbouring Malda. These families were reportedly brought back under heavy security, with the local government working to restore normalcy. However, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has raised concerns over the treatment of women and children during the unrest.

The unrest was linked to protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, with several villages in Murshidabad seeing significant damage. Despite the ongoing political tensions, Islam remains optimistic that the region will recover, and the return of displaced families marks a positive step toward restoring stability in the area.

Vijaya Rahatkar, chairperson of the NCW, called on the West Bengal government to act urgently to address the suffering of the riot-affected people, particularly women. During a visit to the relief camps, Rahatkar described the distressing conditions faced by the displaced individuals, stating, "The torture and suffering they faced was beyond imagination, having left a deep scar in their minds which need to be healed and addressed on an urgent basis with a humanitarian approach."

Rahatkar further criticised the state government for its lack of response, saying it was their "moral duty" to provide security and compensation for the victims. She emphasised the need for confidence-building measures and highlighted the calls from the affected women for greater security, including the establishment of a Border Security Force (BSF) camp in the area.