Ignoring Chief Minister’s request, West Bengal Governor meets riot victims

Ignoring West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s request to postpone his visit, Governor CV Ananda Bose arrived in Malda on Friday to meet victims who fled communal violence in Murshidabad.

Bose went to the Par Lalpur refugee camp in Malda and met the people who have taken shelter there. Sources at Raj Bhavan indicated that Bose may visit Murshidabad on Saturday.

Communal clashes erupted in Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian and Jangipur in Murshidabad on April 11 and 12 during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, resulting in three deaths. Fearing further violence, many residents fled to neighbouring Malda.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), taking suo motu cognisance of the violence, sent a fact-finding team to Malda. The team visited the Par Lalpur camp and is expected to submit a detailed inquiry report within three weeks.

The National Commission for Women (NCW), led by Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, also began a two-day visit to Malda and Murshidabad to assess the impact of the violence on women and inspect rehabilitation efforts.

“We have received reports that women in the affected areas and relief camps are not being treated properly. The NCW has formed an inquiry committee. We will speak to the victims and assess the situation before submitting a detailed report,” Rahatkar said in Kolkata before leaving for the districts.

The NCW team will spend the night in Malda and head to Murshidabad on Saturday. The panel is expected to meet district officials, victims and eventually call on the Governor, Chief Secretary and the DGP in Kolkata on Sunday.

TMC MP Sougata Roy said, “When the Chief Minister requested him not to go to Malda, he should have respected that. But his intention is to create tension in the area. The NCW and NHRC teams visiting the region are also aiding the BJP in fomenting further trouble. They are not interested in restoring normalcy.”

BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar said the ruling party was nervous because the visits by the NHRC and the Governor might uncover the “nexus between the TMC and the rioters”, who, he alleged, were being protected and appeased for vote-bank politics.

“The TMC is panicking because they know these visits will expose their links with those behind the violence. They are shielding the culprits for the sake of minority vote-bank politics,” Majumdar said.

So far, 274 people have been arrested for alleged involvement in rioting and vandalism.

Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) said it would hold a nationwide protest on Saturday to demand the imposition of President’s rule in West Bengal, citing communal violence in Murshidabad district.

VHP president Alok Kumar said in every district headquarters across the country, members and supporters of the organisation would hold dharnas in protest against the violence in Murshidabad.