Mamata Banerjee welcomes CBI probe into Bogtui carnage

The Bengal chief minister attributed the bloodshed to a 'larger conspiracy' to deter industrialisation in Bengal, especially in Birbhum

Mamata Banerjee.: File photo

Avijit Sinha, Bireswar Banerjee   |   TT  |  Siliguri   |    28.03.22  : Mamata Banerjee on Sunday welcomed the CBI probe into the Bogtui carnage but attributed the bloodshed to a “larger conspiracy” to deter industrialisation in Bengal, especially in Birbhum where her government is trying to start a coalmine project in Deocha-Pachami.

“It’s good that the CBI is probing the incident,” the chief minister said at a public event in Gossainpur on Siliguri’s outskirts.

Mamata, who visited Bogtui this week, had earlier too suggested a conspiracy. On Sunday, she alleged the motive was to prevent industrial development in Bengal.

“In Birbhum, we are focusing on industrial development…. About 1 lakh people will get jobs in Deocha-Pachami (coal project). But there are others who are carrying out such incidents (Bogtui carnage) in Rampurhat. The motive is clear,” she said.

Sources close to Mamata said the conspiracy charge reflected an attempt to play victim, as she had often done during past crises.

Mamata in her speech tried to establish Trinamul as the victim in Bogtui, stressing that the person killed first was from the party and that the homes set on fire subsequently belonged to Trinamul supporters.

Eight people were killed in Bogtui on Monday night in apparent retaliation to the murder of local Trinamul strongman Bhadu Sheikh, with sources attributing the violence to intra-Trinamul rivalry over the spoils of illegal businesses.

“The Opposition parties are playing politics over bodies. We too were in the Opposition for years but never stooped so low,” she said.

While Mamata in a break with the past refrained from opposing the CBI probe, she kept open the option of attacking the central agency in the near future.

“We hope the CBI will do its job. However, if it starts acting at the behest of the BJP, we will hit the streets,” she warned.

She then asked why no CBI probe was ever ordered into incidents in BJP-ruled states, and referred to killings in Bengal that have been attributed to the Left.

“Why were CBI investigations not ordered in Hathras, Unnao and Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh or during the anti-NRC protests in Assam?” she said.

“Many people were tortured and killed in these places. Also, the CBI has failed to deliver in several other investigations in our state, like the killings in Netai, Nandigram and Singur.”

Aware that the Bogtui atrocity and the charges of police inaction have dented the forces’ credibility, Mamata admitted once again that the police were guilty of lapses.

“It is true that there were lapses on the part of the police. But one can see that we have taken steps,” she said, alluding to the action taken against the local inspector-in-charge and the Rampurhat SDPO.

Mamata announced that a new complaint redress mechanism like the “Didi Ke Bolo” initiative would be introduced in two months so that people could directly reach her and complain about anyone suspected of corruption or any other crime.

“I will soon announce the name of the facility…. You simply need to give a missed call to a (designated) number. We will take stern steps against all such people, whether government officials or political leaders. I shall monitor the entire process,” Mamata said.

The announcement appeared a response to Opposition allegations following the Bogtui massacre of Trinamul leaders’ involvement in corruption.

Opposition parties have been asking questions about the rags-to-riches stories of Bhadu Sheikh, the murdered panchayat deputy chief, and Anarul Hossain, the block Trinamul president who has been arrested.

Mamata urged the public, especially the youth, to inform the government about any corruption or conspiracy they might be privy to.

“We shall give awards to people who help us nab those involved in antisocial activities. You need to pass the information on to the local police station. If they fail to act, steps will be taken against the police officer concerned,” she said.

Political observers said Mamata’s call to the people to act as the government’s eyes and ears and help check corruption and other crimes was another strategy to defuse the crisis.

“It’s a strategic move by her to signal to the people that she would act against corruption and unlawful activities, at a time her political opponents have levelled graft charges against several Trinamul leaders, particularly after the Bogtui incident,” an observer said.

Courtesy & source