Mamata’s visit:
As said on Wednesday, 23rd March 2022, West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee visited the Birbhum arson places and met the kin of the fire victims on 24th March 2022. The Bengal CM also announced financial compensations of Rs. 5 lakhs to the kin of those who were killed in the arson that took place at Rampurhat, Birbhum on 22nd March 2022 after the murder of TMC panchayat deputy chief, Bhadu Sheik.
Initially, Mamata Banerjee had announced Rs. 1 lakh to the fire affected family for the reconstruction of the houses. But soon after the amount was doubled to Rs 2 lakhs for the reconstruction of fire-affected houses. The WB CM had handed over the cheques of Rs 5 lakh on the spot to the kin of the arson victim.
According to PTI and other news agencies, Mamata Banerjee during the visit had said that apart from monetary compensations, jobs would be provided to the families of the 10 victims.
She told the family members of the Rampurhat massacre victim that they have lost a family member but she is heartbroken for the loss. The CM also added that the police would ensure whether strict punishment is given to the offenders of the Birbhum bloodshed and the case should be indisputable. She uttered that the suspects would be arrested if not surrendered.
Ahead of WB CM’s visit, besides police deployment, the security was tightened and posters and banners of TMC and Mamata Banerjee government were set up in Birbhum. It was widely criticised by netzines that the TMC workers are busy putting up posters and banners ahead of Mamata Banerjee’s arrival.
Adhir Chowdry’s visit:
Congress MP, Adhir Rajan Chowdry was set to visit the arson affected family in Rampurhat village but he was stopped by the West Bengal Police in Bolpur.
Due to this, he staged a sit-in but hours later he was allowed to enter Bagtui. In the event of Chowdry being stopped, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi in the Parliament raised the issue and said that Adhir Chowdry wanted to meet the fire-affected families of Rampurhat but he was stopped 90 km before at Bolpur.
Sine Adhir Chowdry was prevented from entering Rampurhat, the @INCWestBengal had tweeted, “Mamata Banerjee told ‘Bengal is not UP & delegations are welcomed to visit Bagtui’ – Is this relaxation only meant for BJP…”.
TMC delegations met Amit Shah:
On the other hand, Derek O’ Brien and Sudip Bandyopadhyay led 13-member delegations of TMC on Thursday, March 24, 2022, met the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah regarding the Birbhum massacre. According to ANI, TMC MP Bandyopadhyay said that they have spoken to the Home Minister that the West Bengal Governor should be removed as his works are against the constitution and the Parliamentary democratic system is under threat.
The IYC and NHRC:
Nevertheless, the Indian Youth Congress today has moved the National Human Rights Commission demanding an independent investigation over the alleged human rights violation in Bagtui village of Birbhum. Soon after this, the NHRC officials said to ANI that NHRC chairperson Justice Arun Mishra has taken Suo moto cognizance of the Birbhum arson killing and the NHRC team would investigate this matter.
The Autopsy Report:
From the Autopsy Report, it was revealed that eight people including three women and two children were beaten up badly before burning them alive. 22 people have been arrested so far. Further, WB CM Mamata Banerjee issued an order to arrest the TMC Block President of Rampurhat, Anarul Hussain in connection with the incident. Soon after the order was issued, he was arrested.
BJP’s walkout:
Following the chain of events, the leader of the opposition, Suvendu Adhikari along with other BJP MLAs demanded a discussion on the Birbhum violence in the West Bengal Assembly. But the speaker refused to grant time for the discussion. Hence, the BJP MLAs staged a walkout.
Published by : Aditya Andharia
Edited By : Kritika Kashyap
