Murshidabad riots pre-planned, BSF, govt agencies involved: Mamata

Terming the recent communal violence in Murshidabad as “pre-planned”, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday (April 16) alleged that a section of the Border Security Force (BSF), central agencies and the BJP was aiding cross-border influx from Bangladesh to incite tension.

The Trinamool Congress supremo, speaking at a meeting with Imams, accused the Union government of deliberately allowing illegal entry from Bangladesh, despite the volatile situation in the neighbouring country.

Also Read: Murshidabad: Is there an 'external hand' behind the violence?

She further alleged that the BSF and certain central agencies played a key role in triggering unrest and violence in Bengal.

Waqf Amendment Act

Terming the Waqf Amendment Act as “atrocious”, Mamata urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to implement it.

She further alleged that Union Home Minister Amit Shah was prioritising his own political agenda over serving the nation and urged the Prime Minister to keep Shah under control.

"I would request the Prime Minister to keep a check on Amit Shah, he is doing harm to the nation to serve his own political agenda," she said.

Earlier, the Chief Minister said that she will not allow the Waqf Amendment Act to be implemented in West Bengal. She has come across news reports claiming that elements from across the border played a key role in the violence in Murshidabad, she added.

Accuses BSF

Is it not the BSF’s duty to guard the international border, asked Mamata. “The state government does not guard the international border. The Centre must take responsibility," she added.

Watch: Waqf Act violence in Bengal: Who gains from the chaos?

The CM directed the chief secretary to initiate a probe into the role of the BSF, alleging that its firing during the violence in Murshidabad resulted in the death of one person.

"I will find out whom the BSF had financed in the bordering areas by giving money to youths to pelt throw during the violence," she said.

Rs 10 lakh compensation

She announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the families of three people killed during the violence.

The Chief Minister further alleged that outsiders linked to the BJP entered the state and incited violence. "Why did they allow BJP thugs from outside to come and create chaos before fleeing? Accountability must be fixed. They want to polarise and divide Hindus and Muslims. They want their Jumla government. Don't divide the country; unite all instead."

With agency inputs