Birbhum violence: Mamata orders TMC leader's arrest, criticizes police
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited Bogtui village in the Birbhum district on Thursday, where eight people died following Monday's violence. Banerjee ordered the police to arrest Anarul Hossain—Rampurhat-1 block president of Banerjee's Trinamool Congress (TMC) party—for his involvement in the violence while announcing compensation to the victims' families. "The incident could have been avoided if the police had gone immediately," Banerjee added.
Why does this story matter?
Following the murder of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh on Monday, eight people, primarily women and children were burned to death in Birbhum. Banerjee, who also holds charge of the home portfolio in West Bengal, has been facing immense criticism over the violence. National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairperson Justice Arun Mishra has taken suo motu cognizance of the killings in the Birbhum district.
What did the CM promise to the victims?
Banerjee promised monetary compensation of Rs. 5 lakh and jobs to one family member of those killed. Banerjee said that the government will provide Rs. 2 lakh to rebuild the houses that were destroyed by the fire while handing out Rs. 1 lakh cheques. Rs. 50,000 would be granted to those wounded and Rs. 1 lakh to those with 60% burn injuries, she said.
Banerjee orders actions against police and TMC leader
"The DIB (District Intelligence Bureau) and IC (inspector-in-charge) did not fulfill their responsibility. Action must be taken against those who knowingly did not perform their duty," Banerjee said. "Bhadu Sheikh's murder is very unfortunate and what happened since then is highly reprehensible," added Banerjee while ordering the arrest of TMC's Anarul Sheikh who has been accused by locals of conspiring in the Bogtui shootout.
Banerjee questioned about SIT's progress
Since the situation in Bogtui remained tense, Banerjee spoke with members of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), formed to probe the violent incident, gathering information about the investigation's progress. Gyanwant Singh, the Additional Director General of Police (CID), and Meeraj Khalid, the DIG-CID (Operations), also paid their visit to the crime scene. The case has so far resulted in the arrests of 21 people.
