Justice System

Birbhum Violence: 10 people charred to death including women and kids

Governor of Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the violence that unfolded in Birbhum district is an ‘arson orgy’

March 22, 2022

MHA seeks report from TMC Govt over Birbhum violence

West Bengal saw a spate of horrendous incident in which at least 10 people including 2 children were burnt alive. The incident took place in the Rampurhat area of Birbhum. The victims were charred to death after their houses were set ablaze.

The CPI(M) alleged the victim’s houses were set ablaze to avenge the killing of Bhadu Sheikh, a TMC panchayat leader, on Monday. Sheikh was killed after crude bombs were hurled at him in Rampurhat. CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty alleged the violence was a result of internal rivalries in the TMC.

According to sources, a Trinamool Congress politician was murdered and the news spread around the Rampurhat in the Birbhum area. The mob gathered in the village, attacked, and set fire to houses after news of Sheikh’s killing.

In the violence that ensued in the town, more than 10 houses were burnt. Around 10 people were killed in the subsequent fire outbreak. The Fire officials stated that a total of 10 dead bodies have been recovered, with 7 retrieved from a single house.

Governor of Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar said that the violence that unfolded in Birbhum district is an ‘arson orgy’ and said the incident was indicative of deteriorating law and order in the state.

Meanwhile, a nine-member delegation of BJP MPs from West Bengal met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and sought his intervention and action against the perpetrators of the crime. Union Home Ministry sought a report from the West Bengal government after eight people were found burnt to death in the Birbhum district.

TMC General Secretary Kunal Ghosh denied any political angle in the violence. The TMC secretary said, “Deaths of the locals in fire incident is sad. But this incident has no political connection. This is a local village dispute. The panchayat deputy chief who was murdered was a well-known person and his death has angered the villagers, leading to the violent protest. The fire incident took place at night but cops and fire brigade took immediate action.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar “to refrain from making unwarranted statements and allow the administration to conduct an impartial probe” regarding the Birbhum violence.

West Bengal saw horrific incidents of killings and atrocities against women after the Trinamool Congress came back to power after it won the West Bengal Assembly elections held in April 2021. The CBI is investigating 39 cases of rape and molestation, 52 cases of murder or unnatural death and has submitted 10 charge sheets for murders/unnatural deaths.

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