Three people, including a child, were killed and more than 100 others arrested during violent protests in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal against a new law reforming Muslim endowment boards, Indian police announced Saturday.
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File photo: Indian police officers fire tear gas at protesters / Reuters
The Indian Parliament passed the law in early April, aiming to enhance transparency and accountability in Muslim Waqf boards, which are among the country's largest landowners, according to the government. However, the opposition viewed the law as an "attack" targeting India's Muslim minority, estimated at around 200 million people.
Thousands of protesters gathered in the Murshidabad district on Friday, where police used tear gas to disperse them. State police official Javed Shamim reported that three people, including a child, were killed during the clashes. At least 118 people were arrested, and at least 15 security personnel were injured.
In a related development, the state's high court on Saturday ordered the deployment of forces under central government control to contain the situation.
Islamic Waqf boards manage lands and properties donated by Muslims, estimated at approximately 365,000 hectares, representing a real estate wealth worth billions of dollars. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government asserts that the law aims to combat corruption and curb the influence of certain groups.