Bengal Arson: Centre seeks report in 72 hours, BJP asks for Mamata Banerjee’s resignation

The Home Ministry has asked for a report of the incident of arson in Bengal's Birbhum within 72 hours, while leaders of the BJP in the state have asked for the chief minister's resignation.

Bengal Arson

Nearly a dozen houses were set on fire by arsonists in Bengal's Birbhum

India Today,  New Delhi, March 22, 2022: Hours after nearly a dozen houses were set ablaze in Bengal’s Birbhum district, killing at least eight people, the Home Ministry has sought a report on the incident of arson within 72 hours. Joint Secretary-level officers of the Home Ministry will visit Bengal soon, Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar said after meeting Amit Shah, and called for the immediate resignation of Mamata Banerjee, who also handles the Home department.

The BJP’s Bengal unit has also written to Home Minister Amit Shah about the allegedly deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The party’s MPs from Bengal, who are in the national capital for the Parliament session, met the Home Minister to discuss the law and order situation of Bengal.

Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar extended his condolences to the families of victims and tweeted: "Horrifying violence and arson orgy #Rampurhat #Birbhum indicates state is in grip of violence culture and lawlessness. Already eight lives lost. Have sought urgent update on the incident from Chief Secretary. My thoughts are with the families of the bereaved."

BJP PRESS CONFERENCE

Democracy in Bengal has been torn to shreds, alleged BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia. Slamming the state government over the arson and accusing Mamata Banerjee’s government of ‘protecting’ the arsonists, he said: “Most violence in the state is committed by anti-social elements that enjoy protection from Mamata Banerjee’s government. These elements go to houses of civilians, lock them from the outside, and set the houses on fire.”

“The law and order is in shambles. 10 people have been killed in the recent incident, and that includes children and women. In one incident, seven bodies were recovered from one house. Fire brigade personnel say that they are being stopped from dousing the flames,” he said at a press conference in the national capital.

TRENDING

“Who is responsible for law and order? Is there no value for life in Bengal? Why has it become a commonplace to throw bombs in Bengal? People are told the anti-social elements belong to the TMC. Mamata Banerjee wants to turn Bengal into ‘Badlapur (a land of revenge)’. How will there be an independent investigation in Bengal? If there’s any shame left, Mamata Banerjee should allow an independent agency to investigate,” Bhatia said.

“When the TMC district president was asked about the violence and arson, he said it was a small fire because a TV set had caught fire. The investigation has not even begun. Mamata Banerjee must resign. Her priority is to save the anti-social elements of her party and not the people of Bengal.”

BJP MP from Bengal, Locket Chatterjee, said: “These terrorist activities have become normal in Bengal.”

BJP MOVES HIGH COURT

The Bengal BJP has also approached the Calcutta High Court over the incident in Birbhum. The party has alleged that the massacre was planned to allegedly avenge the murder of a local Trinamool leader. “Woman and children have died in the fire. It is a mass killing,” the BJP alleged, urging the Chief Justice to take suo motu congnisance of the incident. The High Court has allowed the BJP to lodge a case immediately.

The Leader of Opposition in the Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikary, has called for a CBI investigation in the case. “Law & order in a rapid freefall in WB. Tension & terror has gripped Rampurhat area of Birbhum district, after a panchayat upoprodhan (deputy chief); Bhadu Sheik was reportedly killed last evening in a bomb attack. Angry mob ransacked and set afire several houses afterwards,” Adhikari tweeted.

According to Bengal top cop Manoj Malviya, the incident could be a result of personal enmity. “The cause of fire is being investigated but if it is in retaliation, then it is due to personal enmity,” Malviya said, referring to the alleged murder of Trinamool Congress panchayat leader Bhadu Pradhan, who was attacked with crude bombs on Monday.

“There is no political involvement in it,” Malviya said.