Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke on the violence in Bengal’s Birbhum and assured the state government of all necessary help to punish the criminals responsible for the arson at the earliest.
Speaking during an event in Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial where the PM joined virtually, he said: “I condole the violence that took place in Bengal. I hope the state government takes strict action against the culprits who commit such heinous crimes.”
“I appeal to the people of Bengal to not forgive these criminals and those who encourage such crimes. I assure the state government that the Centre will provide all necessary support in punishing these criminals at the earliest.,” he added.
The violence in Birbhum’s Rampurhat has left ten people dead and set off a massive political storm.
Earlier, Union Home Ministry has sought a report on the killings, which the state BJP alleges is retaliatory violence by Trinamool Congress after one of its local leaders was murdered.
Deputy chief of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC)-ruled Barshal village panchayat, Bhadu Sheikh, was killed after five unidentified miscreants had hurled crude bombs at him at Bogtui village in Birbhum’s Rampurhat on Monday night.
After the TMC leader’s death was confirmed by a local hospital, tension erupted at Bogtui village and multiple houses in the area were allegedly ransacked and set on fire.
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A state fire and emergency services official said three charred bodies had been recovered on Monday late night from a house.
Later on Tuesday morning, after dousing the blaze, firemen recovered seven more charred bodies from a burnt house.
Sources in the local hospital said there were several children and women among the victims.
Facing massive criticism, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said she will visit Rampurhat’s Bogtui village on Thursday.
“Why shall we indulge in violence while we are running the government? These incidents are done by people who are not in government,” Banerjee said.
“We have taken steps. We will investigate the matter and punish the culprits. We strongly condemn the incident,” the TMC supremo said and added, “Action will be taken without seeing any colour. The only colour is humanity.”
