BJP Blocked Me From Meeting Victims: CM in Murshidabad

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday visited the riot-hit Murshidabad district for the first time since communal clashes broke out in April, and alleged that the BJP, which is in opposition in the state, was "shielding" those responsible for the violence and "preventing" the affected families from meeting her.

- Joydeep Thakur

KOLKATA:

"I want peace, not riots. West Bengal is known for its communal harmony, and we will protect that at any cost. I want to ask them (BJP), why is this heavily loaded virus being spread to create communal tension and sell the country?" she said.

Banerjee hit out at the Centre, accusing it of "encouraging communal tension instead of securing the nation" and asked it to give justice to those who lost family members in the riots.

Without naming any leader, she said, "I have seen 10-12 PMs in my life. I had worked with them. As an MP, I have seen all of them from close quarters. I am not talking about the PM now, but the 'acting PM'. Who is the acting PM? I do not know... Perhaps the BJP can answer who he is. I will tell him (acting PM), take care of the borders, instead of creating communal tension and nuisance."

Banerjee also levelled charges against the Border Security Force, saying it had a role in the communal tension in Murshidabad turning violent. "Why did the BSF fire shots? If BSF hadn't fired shots, the incident would not have flared up the next day... Those who are inciting riots are enemies of Bengal," she said.

This is for the first time that the chief minister visited the violence-torn areas in Murshidabad district where communal riots on April 11 and 12 claimed three lives, including Haragobindo Das and his son Chandam Das, who were hacked to death by a mob at Jafrabad in Samserganj.