'Situation bizarre and barbaric': West Bengal Guv CA Ananda Bose lashes out after visit to riot-hit Murshidabad

Kolkata: West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has described the situation in Murshidabad as “bizarre” and “barbaric” following his visit to the violence-affected district on Saturday.
Speaking to India Today after the visit, the Governor said he would raise the matter with the Centre and assured the bereaved family of full support.
Bose visited the family of the father-son duo who were lynched during mob violence that erupted earlier this month amid protests against the Waqf law.
#Watch | West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose visits Murshidabad violence relief camp
— DD News (@DDNewslive) April 18, 2025
He interacted with those displaced by the violence at a relief camp set up in Parlalpur High School, Baishnavnagar, District Malda.#Murshidabad #WestBengal @BengalGovernor pic.twitter.com/McfTdkS253
He said his decision to visit came after receiving conflicting reports about the nature of the violence and its impact.
“Ugly instincts of degeneration”
"My assessment has to be verified by me only. I had contradictory reports. Hence, I came (to Murshidabad). What I saw was bizarre. It was barbaric. Ugly instincts of degeneration human behaviour," Bose was quoted as saying by India Today, expressing deep concern over the ground situation.
Fresh attack on Trinamool, calls for restoring public trust
The Governor, who has frequently clashed with the Trinamool Congress-led state government, blamed the ruling dispensation for eroding public confidence.
"Violence used to happen during elections, but now it is becoming frequent. A section is trying to establish force on another. It is the worst form of jingoism. People have lost faith in the system," he said.
Bose added that locals shared safety concerns during his interactions and called for preventive measures.
"I will share my report with the Centre and the state government. They can't be shared in the public domain at the moment," he noted.
Locals demand BSF camp amid rising tensions
On the second day of his visit to affected areas, the Governor toured Samsherganj, Dhulian, Suti, and Jangipur in Murshidabad.
Several locals, displaced or impacted by the unrest, displayed banners urging the government to establish a permanent Border Security Force (BSF) camp to ensure their safety.
The violence stemmed from demonstrations against the Waqf law, which governs Muslim-donated properties.
At least three people died in clashes across Murshidabad and South 24 Parganas.
Several Hindu households were attacked and vandalised during the unrest, forcing many to flee to relief camps set up in neighbouring Malda district.