In a chilling revelation, it has come to light that Muslim extremists in Murshidabad, West Bengal, marked Hindu homes with black ink before unleashing a spree of violence, bombing, and arson during the riots that broke out earlier this month. The discovery was made by a journalist in an exclusive ground report published on April 17, 2025, by NMF News.
According to the journalist, the markings on Hindu homes were deliberately made to ensure that rioters could identify which houses to bomb or set on fire. “They have made these markings so that rioters can know which house needs to be bombed and which house needs to be set ablaze,” he said, further explaining that the violence was carefully orchestrated. “Every Hindu home in the area has been marked with black ink. Only those houses were attacked during the riots—bombs were hurled, and houses were set on fire,” he added.
The violence erupted in Murshidabad’s Muslim-majority districts of Suti and Samserganj after the Jumma Namaz on April 11, 2025. The unrest was sparked by protests against the newly enacted Waqf Amendment Act but quickly escalated into a full-scale attack on the Hindu community. Locals reported incidents of vandalism, arson, and targeted attacks against Hindus, with Muslim mobs selectively attacking homes and shops owned by Hindus.
An emotional account from a Hindu sweet shop owner in Suti highlighted the severity of the violence. “I had a sweet shop here,” he said, pointing to the remains of his destroyed establishment, ‘Subha Smriti Hotel.’ His wife tearfully added, “They took away all our belongings, including cash kept inside the shop…There is nothing left. How will we eat now?”
Violence also engulfed other Hindu-owned businesses, including the ‘Sri Hari Hindu Hotel & Lodge.’ The visuals of the devastation were shared by news agency ANI, depicting the widespread destruction.
The violence also targeted Hindu temples, with reports of idol desecration emerging from the region. Trinamool Congress MP Khalilur Rahaman, in a video shared by Republic Bangla, admitted that a temple in Jangipur had been vandalised. According to an India Today report, several homes belonging to Hindu families in the minority-dominated district were attacked, while shops were looted and set on fire.
One particularly harrowing incident involved the burning of an ambulance caught in the violence. Eyewitnesses confirmed to India Today that the driver was beaten brutally before the vehicle was set ablaze. “We were scared and sitting inside our homes. I had kept my parents, wife, and children at home,” said an eyewitness, who confirmed that the attackers were local Muslims.
A CCTV footage surfaced showing an attacker damaging a Hindu family’s vehicle in Murshidabad. “They have destroyed and torched bikes, looted our belongings, and set shops on fire,” a victim recounted to ANI.
As the situation worsened, thousands of Hindus were forced to flee their homes, crossing the river into Malda district for safety. One victim described how the family had to take refuge on the terrace, praying for their safety as Muslim mobs attempted to break into their home. “They (Muslim mobs) tried to enter through the front gate. When they failed, they attempted to enter through the back gate,” said Manju Bhagat, the wife of a Hindu trader named Amar Bhagat. “They broke the bike, vandalised our home, and looted everything from chairs, mattresses, TVs to expensive household items,” she recalled, describing the harrowing experience.
The fear was palpable as many victims reported the absence of law enforcement during the violence. One Hindu resident shared, “We couldn’t sleep at night. We were awake and in fear. There was no police force when violence was being carried out here. The cops were running for their lives.”
The attacks in Murshidabad and surrounding areas have sparked widespread outrage, as the targeted violence against Hindus continues to unfold. As authorities begin to assess the extent of the damage, questions remain about the lack of police intervention and the selective nature of the attacks. Many victims are left hoping for justice and compensation, as the community continues to grapple with the trauma of the violence.
The situation in Murshidabad highlights the growing sectarian tensions in West Bengal, and the long-term consequences of the ongoing violence against the Hindu community in the region. The latest revelations from NMF report further underscore the carefully coordinated and highly targeted nature of the attacks, leaving many wondering if more can be done to protect the vulnerable Hindu minority in the state.
