Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condemned the violence in Birbhum, where at least eight people were burnt to death on Tuesday in the suspected killing of a TMC panchayat official. Describing the incident as a “heinous crime”, he called on the people of the state not to forgive the perpetrators of such incidents and those who encouraged the perpetrators.
On Twitter, he expressed hope that the West Bengal government would take stern action against those involved in the incident.
On behalf of the Center, Prime Minister Modi has assured the state that whatever help is needed to punish the perpetrators of violence in Birbhum as soon as possible.
On behalf of the central government, I assure the state that the perpetrators will be punished as soon as they want: PM narendramodi– PMO India (PMOIndia) March 23, 2022
Here is what the Chief Minister said
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has strongly said that strict action will be taken against the perpetrators of violence in Birbhum district. Banerjee said he would visit Bagatui village on Thursday, where houses were set on fire shortly after the killing of a gram panchayat deputy chief, to investigate the situation.
“It was an attempt by the BJP, the Left and the Congress to insult our government,” he said. Strict action will be taken against all those responsible for the Birbhum incident, irrespective of their (political) color. We have already removed the (Police) Officer-in-Charge, SDPO and other senior officers. The DGP has been in the district since yesterday. “
The chief minister, while speaking at a function here, also maintained that he had to postpone his visit to the district for one day as he did not want to clash with the leaders of opposition political parties camping there. Sneering at the BJP, he said its leaders had “blocked the way to the district, including stopping eating ‘liangcha’ (sweet meat grown in Shaktigarh area of Burdwan district).”
“I will go there (to Bagatui village) tomorrow. I could have gone there today, but a few political parties are on their way there. They will be late to return. I don’t want to go there while they (opposition leaders) are around. I don’t want to get into a fight.
(With input from PTI)
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