A few hours after the murder of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader, eight people were burnt to death in their homes on Tuesday.
Rampurhat: In an alleged intra-party conflict within the ruling TMC, eight people including two children were burnt to death following the local panchayat leader’s murder in that area.
The Chief Minister’s reaction to the Governor’s tweet
In a tweet after the fire tragedy, West Bengal’s Governor Jagdeep Dhankar expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He called the tragic event “arson orgy”, how West Bengal is in a state of lawlessness. He further added that he had asked for updates from the general secretary.
The political tension between the ruling TMC and opposition BJP intensified over the Birbhum fire violence after the state’s chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the governor to hold back on making such “unwarranted statements” after he called the incident an “arson orgy”.
In a letter to the governor, West Bengal Chief Minister who is also responsible for the state’s home affairs urged Jagdeep Dhankar to let the administrative authorities conduct an “impartial probe”.
Earlier on Tuesday, several houses were set fire in a small village on the outskirts of Rampurhat town in Birbhum few hours after the local panchayat leader was killed in the area. The fire cost 8 lives including two children. The oppositions alleged the incident as a result of the conflict between the factions of the ruling Trinamool.
On the grounds of the Birbhum fire, BJP has demanded Presidential Rule in the state citing lawlessness. The spokesperson of TMC, Kunal Ghosh denied the accusations of intra-party feuds and claimed the incident to be village rivalry taking an unfortunate turn.
Mamata Banerjee wrote in her letter to Dhankar, “It pains me that you have chosen an unfortunate incident which occurred in Rampurhat on March 21 that resulted in the loss of precious lives, to pass sweeping and uncalled for comments on the law and order situation in the state.”
She further added that in spite of holding such an important constitutional post in West Bengal, it is unfortunate that Dhankar tried to show that the state is under the clutches of violence and anarchy over this incident. She pointed out that his comment is not justified when in cases of even more heinous crimes in other BJP ruled states he has opted to remain silent.
Update on the investigation
The TMC supremo said that the administration has taken immediate action to investigate the case. She said that action against local police officers posted in the sub-division has also been taken. The police have already made 11 arrests in regards to the incident.
The Chief Minister reported to the Governor, “I have also asked the director general of police to immediately proceed and ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime are arrested and action is taken against them.”
Mamata Banerjee also commented that West Bengal is peaceful except for few unfortunate crimes.
Published By : Revathy G Sanal
Edited By : Subbuthai Padma
