Guwahati (Assam) [India], April 20 (ANI): Assam Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Sunday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for failing to maintain law and order amid unrest in Murshidabad, following the passage of newly amended laws on the Waqf.

Speaking to ANI, Jayanta Malla Baruah pointed out that the matter is still being heard in the Supreme Court, and its verdict on Waqf laws will be accepted, but Trinamool Congress is trying to take political advantage of the situation.

'The matter (Waqf Amendment Act) is in the Supreme Court. She (Mamata Banerjee) is not controlling the law and order, and they are trying to create an issue to gain political advantage during elections. We will accept the Supreme Court's verdict, but the violence is not acceptable. The situation (in Murshidabad) is not good,' the minister told ANI.

Earlier today, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh expressed his gratitude to the West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, for visiting the violence-affected Murshidabad area.

However, he sharply criticised Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's handling of the situation, accusing her government of negligence and inaction.

Ghosh said that if the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government fails to control the law and order situation in the state, then The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act can be imposed in certain parts of the state.

The violence began on April 11 in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protest turned violent, leading to the killing of two people, injuries to several others, and property damage, forcing thousands to leave their homes for safer places.

The protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act spread across other districts, including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, and involved incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades.

Following the violence, several families fled their homes. Many have migrated to the Pakur district in Jharkhand, while others are staying in relief camps set up in Malda.

Meanwhile, days after the violence, Mamata Banerjee on Saturday issued a public appeal urging citizens to maintain peace and unity.

She accused the BJP and its affiliates, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of exploiting the incident to incite unrest for political gain.

In an open letter, Banerjee alleged that certain groups were 'using the backdrop of an unfortunate incident' to promote a divisive agenda. (ANI)