Mamata claims Murshidabad riots pre-planned, fuelled by BJP, BSF; urges PM to rein in Amit Shah
Kolkata, Apr 16 (PTI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday termed the recent communal violence in Murshidabad as "pre-planned", accusing a section of the BSF, central agencies under the MHA, and the BJP of orchestrating tension by allegedly facilitating outsiders and enabling cross-border influx from Bangladesh.
Addressing a meeting with Muslim religious leaders, Banerjee urged PM Narendra Modi not to implement the "atrocious" Waqf (Amendment) Act, warning that it would divide the country, and requested him to rein in Union Home Minister Amit Shah, whom she accused of "harming the nation most for his own political agenda".
The TMC supremo claimed that despite the volatile situation in Bangladesh, the Centre rushed through the Waqf (Amendment) Act and allowed cross-border infiltration, both of which, she alleged, contributed to the unrest in Bengal.
Banerjee alleged that a section of the BSF and certain central agencies under the Home Ministry played a "role in facilitating the violence" and ordered a probe into the role of the border force.
"I came across news quoting the Home Ministry sources claiming the role of elements from across the border in Murshidabad unrest. Is it not the role of the BSF to guard the border? The BSF is under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The state government does not guard the international border. The central government can't evade responsibility," the CM said.
She announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and directed the chief secretary to initiate an inquiry into the BSF's actions.
Launching a blistering attack on Shah, Banerjee accused him of misusing central agencies and using propaganda to tarnish Bengal's image.
"They have a lot of money and massive propaganda machinery working to defame Bengal. Most of these are being controlled by Shah. I have never taken his name before, but if the home minister starts behaving like Kalidas — cutting the very branch he is sitting on — then we are compelled to speak out," she said.
"I would request the PM to keep a check on Shah. He is harming the country most to serve his political interests. Why is he (Shah) in such a hurry? He will never become the PM, and what will he do once Modi-ji leaves? The PM must see how his home minister is misusing central agencies. PM Modi must control him," Banerjee said.
Referring to the clashes that broke out during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on April 11 and 12 in Dhulian and Shamsherganj areas of Murshidabad, the CM accused BJP-backed outsiders had entered the state to instigate violence.
"Why were BJP goons from outside allowed to come and create chaos before fleeing the scene? Accountability must be fixed. They want to polarise and divide Hindus and Muslims. The BJP wants violence on the streets so that my government is destabilised. They want their jumla government. Don't divide the country, unite it instead," she said.
Banerjee last week had announced that the Waqf Amendment Act won't be implemented in Bengal.
Calling the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act "atrocious" and "anti-federal", Banerjee questioned the urgency with which it was passed by the Centre and urged the PM not to implement it in its present form.
"I want to challenge and ask the government of India: why the haste in pushing through the Waqf Amendment Act? Were you unaware of the tense situation in Bangladesh? Bengal shares borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. Hold meetings with Muhammad Yunus, sign pacts and agreements. I will welcome anything that benefits the country. But what is your plan: sparking riots through certain agencies that allow cross-border movement?" she asked.
Over 200 people have reportedly been arrested in connection with the violence, which has forced hundreds to flee to neighbouring Malda district.
Banerjee was quick to clarify that the affected areas — Dhulian and Shamsherganj — fall under the Malda Dakshin Lok Sabha constituency, currently held by Congress MP Isha Khan Chowdhury.
"The Congress should have been more proactive in those areas. If Trinamool Congress was behind the violence, why were the homes of three of our MLAs attacked? Why was our party office vandalised?" she questioned.
Banerjee advised religious leaders to directly approach President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to express their concerns about the Waqf law amendments.
The TMC supremo appealed to the INDIA bloc parties to unitedly fight against the Waqf Act.
Banerjee claimed that the BJP's alleged attempts to incite violence during Ram Navami had failed and reiterated her commitment to maintaining communal harmony.
"You (people) jointly foiled their plans on Ram Navami. Stay alert. I would also like to say that there are traitors in every community. If the BJP tries to provoke people in the name of Hindu-Muslim, you must stand up. Imam sahab must also play a role. We want peace. As long as we are here, we will not allow anyone to divide Hindus and Muslims," she said.
She also lashed out at Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, who had recently criticised her for allegedly allowing rioters to act freely in the name of secularism.
Retorting strongly, Banerjee said, "Yogi speaks as if he is some saint, but he's the biggest Bhogi (materialist). How many people died in the Mahakumbh stampede? How many encounter killings happen in Uttar Pradesh? He doesn't even allow peaceful rallies. Here in Bengal, people enjoy freedom."
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Heavy rain, hailstorms likely to lash Uttarakhand on Tuesday; IMD issues warning
Dehradun/Pithoragarh (PTI): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for heavy rain and hailstorms across several districts of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, as temperatures remained markedly below normal in the region.
Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar districts. Most places across all districts are expected to receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, while higher reaches are likely to witness snowfall, officials said on Monday.
The weather department warned of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail and intense spells of rain in six districts, including Dehradun and Nainital. Gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph are also expected at isolated locations in these areas and other hilly districts.
In the state capital, Dehradun, the sky is forecast to remain partly cloudy with light rain and thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30-40 kmph.
The maximum and minimum temperatures in the city are expected to hover around 31 degrees Celsius and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Maximum temperatures during the past 24 hours remained markedly below normal in the hills and appreciably below normal in the plains. While no significant change in temperature is expected over the next 2-3 days, the IMD predicts a rise of 3-5 degrees Celsius during the subsequent 3-4 days.
Rainfall was recorded in several areas after 8.30 am today, with Ramnagar receiving 31.5 mm and Nainital recording 26.5 mm. Other areas, including Pithoragarh, Khatima and Champawat, also reported moderate precipitation.
Authorities have stopped a batch of 36 Adi Kailash pilgrims at the Dharchula base camp and placed the high-altitude yatra route on high alert following heavy rains and hailstorms in the district on Monday.
Dharchula SDM Ashish Joshi said the pilgrimage was halted due to adverse weather conditions. The issuance of new inner-line passes has been suspended until the weather normalises.
With 1,700 passes issued so far, pilgrims already at higher camps are being monitored for safety, the official added.
