Didi smells conspiracy in riots

CHIEF MINISTER Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday called the Murshidabad violence over the Waqf Amendment Act as a "pre-planned communal riot", accusing a section of the BSF, central agencies under the Union home ministry, and the BJP of orchestrating tension by facilitating cross-border influx from Bangladesh.

- SULAGNA SENGUPTA @ Kolkata

Launching a blistering attack on Home Minister Amit Shah, she accused him of misusing central agencies and using propaganda to tarnish Bengal's image. Banerjee urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rein in Shah.

"I have never named him (Shah) early. But I will urge PM Modi to control the man. All agencies have been given in Shah's hands. He (Shah) is making plans and it is a pre-planned communal riot in Murshidabad," Banerjee said, addressing Muslim religious leaders at Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata over the Waqf (Amendment) Act.

She announced compensation of ₹10 lakh each for the families of the deceased and directed the chief secretary to initiate an inquiry into the BSF's actions.