Murshidabad Violence: Victims’ Family Rejects State Compensation; Cites Delayed Police Response

The family of Hargobindo Das and his son Chandan Das has refused the state government’s compensation after a mob brutally killed the two during the recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district.

The two men died in a mob attack that left three people dead and several injured during clashes over the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act.

According to the family’s formal complaint, a group of protesters stormed their home in Samserganj on the morning of April 12 and killed Hargobindo and Chandan Das in front of their relatives.

The attack occurred amid violent protests across minority-dominated areas of Murshidabad, where demonstrations against the newly-promulgated Waqf Act spiraled out of control.

Chief Minister Announces Compensation

On Wednesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family affected by the violence.

She made the announcement during a meeting with Imams, Muezzins, and other religious leaders to address the tensions sparked by the Waqf Act.

However, the Das family rejected the offer a day after the announcement.

Also Read: PM Modi, CM Yogi Honor Former Prime Minister Chandrashekhar On Birth Anniversary

They expressed deep dissatisfaction with what they described as a delayed police response that could have saved their loved ones.

“Had the police reached in time, they might still be alive,” said one family member. “Now they are gone, and nothing can bring them back. What will we do with money? No amount is enough for the loss of two lives.”

Lingering Fear Affects Post-Death Rituals

Despite the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) across Murshidabad on the night of April 12, fear continues to grip residents in Samserganj.

According to the Das family, the impact of the violence was evident during the ‘Shradh’ (post-death rituals) of the victims held on April 15.

“The priests and the barber, who are essential for the rituals, didn’t show up out of fear,” the family member added.

National Commission For Women To Visit Affected Areas

Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident.

The NCW team plans to arrive in Kolkata shortly to assess the situation firsthand.

The team will visit Murshidabad on Friday and Saturday to speak with women from families displaced by the violence.

The NCW delegation also plans to hold meetings with the Murshidabad District Magistrate and the Superintendent of Police to discuss the handling of the situation and the safety of affected communities.