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The protest in Murshidabad erupted after news spread about the death of a native who had migrated to Jharkhand for work.
Locals in Murshidabad block NH-12 to protest against ‘attacks’ on migrants outside Bengal.
Locals in West Bengal’s Murshidabad blocked National Highway 12 and burnt tyres on Friday to protest against the alleged attacks on migrant workers from the district in other states. The highway was blocked at Maheshpur in the Beldanga 1 area, triggering traffic snarls on the arterial road connecting the northern part of the state with the southern cities in West Bengal.
In view of the situation, BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to X and raised concerns over the ongoing violent situation in the state. “West Bengal is descending into widespread violence and lawlessness, spreading rapidly from Farakka to Chakulia,” he wrote in a post on X.
“In Beldanga, Murshidabad district, the National Highway has been completely blocked by anti-social elements for nearly three hours. Stone-pelting continues unchecked, trains have been forcibly stopped, and the area remains under the control of hooligans and goons, with no sign of police intervention so far,” he added.
The BJP leader further attacked the TMC government in Bengal and stated that the ongoing situation is a clear indication that “governance in West Bengal is collapsing”. “Anti-social elements and rioters, enjoying the patronage of the ruling TMC, have been given a free hand to disrupt normal life at will, pushing the state towards chaos,” he added.
West Bengal is descending into widespread violence and lawlessness, spreading rapidly from Farakka to Chakulia.In Beldanga, Murshidabad district, the National Highway has been completely blocked by anti-social elements for nearly three hours. Stone-pelting continues unchecked,… pic.twitter.com/ieiBHeMadx
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 16, 2026
Protests In Murshidabad
The demonstrators alleged repeated attacks and unsafe conditions faced by migrants from the district in other states for speaking Bengali. The protest erupted after news spread about the death of a Murshidabad native who had migrated to Jharkhand for work.
“Migrants from Murshidadbad are being branded Bangladeshis outside West Bengal. They have been facing atrocities for speaking Bengali. We want exemplary punishment for those involved in such attacks,” a protester said.
The demonstrators demanded stringent action against those responsible for the death, immediate compensation for the victim’s family, and a permanent administrative mechanism to ensure the safety of migrant labourers from Murshidabad.
(With agency inputs)
January 16, 2026, 15:24 IST
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