Expressing his condolences to the families of the victims of the Birbhum violence in West Bengal in which at least eight people were charred to death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged the people of the state not to forgive the perpetrators of such incidents and those who encourage such criminals. Addressing virtually an event on Shaheed Diwas at Kolkata’s Victoria Memorial, the Prime Minister said, “I am pained by the violent incident in Birbhum, West Bengal. I express my condolences. I hope that the state government will punish those who commit such heinous sins in Bengal.” The PM also assured the state government that whatever help it wanted would be provided to take strict action against the culprits.
“I would also urge the people of Bengal to never forgive the perpetrators of such incidents and those who encourage such criminals. On behalf of the Central government, I assure the state that whatever help it wants will be provided so that the criminals are punished at the earliest,” he added.
At least eight people were burnt to death in the Rampurhat area of Birbhum district in the state on Tuesday after a mob allegedly set houses on fire following the killing of Trinamool Congress leader Bhadu Sheikh. Director-General of Police (DGP) West Bengal, Manoj Malviya said that 11 arrests have been made in the case so far. He further said that Bhadu Shaikh’s murder was reported at night, an hour after which 7-8 houses nearby had caught fire. A special investigation team has been formed to probe the matter. The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday took cognizance of the Birbhum incident. The High Court on Wednesday directed Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) Delhi to immediately collect necessary materials for forensic examination at Bogtui village. The court asked the state government to file a report in the case before it by 2 pm on Thursday, when the matter will be taken up for hearing again.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava, taking up a suo motu petition and a set of PILs, ordered that CCTVs be installed at the crime scene in the presence of district judge, Purba Bardhaman, and recordings be done until further orders. The bench, also comprising Justice R. Bharadwaj, directed a team of CFSL in Delhi to visit the place of incident and collect samples for examination without any delay. It asked the DGP to ensure safety of witnesses, including that of a minor boy injured in the arson, in consultation with the district judge, Purba Bardhaman. The court observed that the suo motu petition has been registered for a fair investigation in the case.
The petitioners in the PILs have prayed for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or by any other agency which is not controlled by the state. The advocate general representing the government opposed the prayer, stating an SIT was probing the matter and there was no need to transfer the case to any other agency.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Birbhum violence and said that it is high time to revisit the state’s confrontational unconstitutional stance so that democratic values and human rights get restored and people get a reprieve from repressive “fear” and suffering.
In a three-page reply letter to Banerjee, the Governor said that there was a “political conspiracy” behind the violence. He also said that the number of casualties may be higher. “As usual you have taken accusatory stance (in your 22 March communication) at my restrained just reaction to grisly carnage, worst in recent memory at Rampurhat, where reportedly the entire family of Sanju Sheikh—six women and two children were burnt alive in Bogtoi village. The casualty figure is stated to be higher as per reports. This shocking carnage is being justifiably compared by many to the incidents in the state a few years ago, while you were in the opposition,” said Dhankhar.
Dhankhar’s comments came in reply to Banerjee’s letter in which she urged Governor “to refrain from making unwarranted statements and allow the administration to conduct an impartial probe into the Birbhum violence”. The Governor alleged that Banerjee is adopting diversionary tactics and is labelling his reaction as a “sweeping and uncalled for statement.”
“In the face of such enormity, I cannot ‘fiddle’ in Raj Bhawan and be a mute spectator. That would be an unpardonable abdication of my constitutional duty,” he said. “Every time flagging of the issue at this end leads to unleashing your apparatus against the Governor,” he added. Dhankhar said that there can just be no credibility for the SIT headed by Gyanwant Singh as the probe will be a “cover-up operation” to provide an escape route to rogue elements. The Governor said that in a state suffering unchecked rampant political violence, arson, extortion and murders, a Chief Minister, claiming to be the protector of democracy, should have minimally acted against the known dreaded musclemen, who only survive on state patronage. He further asked Banerjee to hold the rule of law as the supreme command, rather than finding fault in the Governor, who is expectedly performing his solemn duty under the Constitution rightly at this most unfortunate moment that has seen people being burnt alive. “I would urge you to face the alarming grim situation and vindicate your oath of office and bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India and faithfully and conscientiously discharge duties as Chief Minister. High time for you to revisit your confrontational unconstitutional stance and pave the way of functioning in togetherness so that democratic values and human rights get restored and people get a reprieve from repressive fear and suffering,” he said.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will go to Bogtui village on Thursday. Banerjee had earlier said that she would go there on Wednesday itself, but changed plans as on Wednesday members of other political parties were there. Directly attacking the BJP, the Chief Minister said: “The government never wants bloodshed. It never wants anyone to be killed. Those who are not in the government conspire to discredit the government. The Rampurhat incident is unfortunate. Those who caused the incident will not be spared.”
She taunted Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar as a “Lat Saheb”. She said, “There is one Lat Saheb sitting here and making statements every time that the situation in West Bengal is bad. He is abusing the government every day.”
On Wednesday, the Chief Minister also claimed, “Much more than this happens in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. Action will be taken here without looking at the colour.” Banerjee added: “I sent a team to Hathras, Unnao, but we were not allowed to enter.”
Banerjee further said: “The government is ours, we are concerned about the people in our state. We would never want anyone to suffer. The Rampurhat incident is unfortunate. I have immediately dismissed the OC, SDPO. I will go to Rampurhat tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, a local eyewitness, Alauddin Sheikh, alleged that the doors of the houses set ablaze were slammed in front of the police. They were then locked and set on fire. According to Sheikh, bombs are hurled all around. In fear, people went inside their houses. In the meantime, the houses were locked and petrol was poured from outside. Asked who did all this, his direct answer was, “Sheikh Jahangir and Sheikh Lalon.” He further added, “It happened in front of the police.”
(WITH INPUTS FROM ARUP KALI IN KOLKATA)