Kolkata, 16 January (H.S.) : Tension gripped West Bengal’s Murshidabad district once again on Friday as members of the Muslim community took to the streets after Friday prayers to protest the suspicious death of a migrant worker in Jharkhand. The demonstrations quickly escalated into arson and road and rail blockades, severely disrupting normal life in the area.

The deceased has been identified as Alauddin Sheikh alias Alai Sheikh (30), a resident of the Sujapur Kumarpur gram panchayat area under Beldanga. He had gone to Jharkhand in search of livelihood, where his body was recovered from a rented room on Thursday. The family has alleged that Alauddin was targeted and assaulted because he was a Bengali Muslim, strangled to death, and later hanged to make the murder appear as a case of suicide.

Protests intensified from Friday morning in the Beldanga area and gained momentum after Friday prayers. Agitated protesters blocked the Dalkhola–Bakkhali National Highway number twelve, setting tyres on fire and bringing traffic to a standstill. The highway is a crucial link between Kolkata and North Bengal, and its closure led to massive traffic snarls, with several vehicles stranded for hours.

A section of the protesters also blocked railway tracks at Beldanga railway station, disrupting train services on the Lalgola–Sealdah section. Bamboo poles were placed on the tracks as part of the protest, leading to delays and cancellations of local train services.

Protesters alleged that members of the Muslim community were being repeatedly targeted in other states and demanded the personal intervention of the Chief Minister. They stated that the agitation would continue until the Chief Minister visits the area and meets the bereaved family.

The developments triggered sharp political reactions. Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Sukanta Majumdar claimed in a social media post that the national highway remained blocked for two to three hours and rail services were badly affected. He accused the state police of acting under political pressure and failing to ensure public safety. Another BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari, also criticized the state government and demanded immediate action to restore law and order.

Heavy police deployment has been made in the area, and the administration said efforts are underway to bring the situation under control.

The fresh unrest has revived memories of violence witnessed in Murshidabad last year. In August, protests against the Waqf law had turned violent after Friday prayers, during which at least one hundred eighteen Hindu houses were allegedly set on fire. During that episode, Hargobind Das and his son Chandan Das were brutally killed, sending shockwaves across the district.

With the latest protests unfolding once again after Friday prayers, the situation in Murshidabad remains sensitive, and authorities are maintaining strict vigil to prevent any further escalation.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh