Bengal Governor Bose meets family of deceased in riot-hit Murshidabad

Before heading to Shamsherganj, the Governor interacted with displaced families at a guest house in Farakka. A day earlier, defying Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s appeal to postpone his visit, Bose had travelled to Malda and met riot-hit residents living in a temporary relief camp.

“I met the families here. They have briefed me in detail. Proactive action will certainly be taken. I have shared my phone number with them for direct communication,” Bose said.

Speaking to the media after meeting displaced families at a relief camp in Malda, Governor Bose said the victims had shared their concerns and suggestions, which would be addressed at the highest level. “They want to have a sense of security and certainly some other demands or whatever suggestions given by them. All this will be considered. I will take it up with the Government of India and the State Government for appropriate action. I'll follow it up,” noted the Governor.

“I asked them to feel free to talk to me directly. The phone number has also been given. We'll be in touch with them. Certainly, very effective proactive steps will be taken,” he added.

Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier urged Governor Bose to postpone his visit to Murshidabad, citing confidence-building measures and a gradual return to normalcy in the district.

"I would request non-locals not to visit Murshidabad right now. I would appeal to the governor to wait for a few more days as confidence-building measures are underway. I could have gone there, but then others would have also said they would visit, but the situation is not conducive now. An SIT has been formed to investigate the unrest in Murshidabad. I will visit the district at an appropriate time. I would request the governor not to visit the riot-hit district now," she had said.

However, despite her appeal, the Governor proceeded with his visit to the affected areas. "I will certainly visit Murshidabad. I want to see the realities on the ground and take an objective view," Bose said. He added that while the situation was under control, further preventive steps were necessary, including a permanent BSF camp, as requested by locals.

This development follows a petition heard by the Calcutta High Court on Thursday, seeking the extension of central paramilitary forces' deployment in Murshidabad and the transfer of the investigation into recent communal violence to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The violence, which erupted in Muslim-majority areas over the Centre’s amendments to the Waqf Act, has resulted in three deaths and hundreds displaced.

In its report to the court, the Mamata Banerjee-led government has acknowledged the escalation of violence, which began as peaceful protests on April 4 but intensified by April 8, when a 5,000-strong mob attacked police with weapons, firebombs, and bricks, and blocked NH-12 at Umarpur. The violence continued with incidents of arson and vandalism on April 11 in Suti and Shamsherganj, leading to police firing in self-defense. So far, 278 people have been arrested in connection with the unrest.

Meanwhile, National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also toured the violence-hit areas in Murshidabad on Saturday. At Betbona, she met several affected women who recounted the trauma they faced during the violence. The women urged the Centre to set up permanent BSF camps in vulnerable areas and demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the communal clashes.

“Don’t worry, the Centre and the Commission are with you. You are not alone,” Rahatkar assured the victims, adding that NCW would soon submit a report to the central government based on its findings.

The NCW team had earlier visited a relief camp in Malda on Friday and evaluated the conditions of displaced women. The commission had taken suo motu cognisance of the violence in Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur, which left hundreds homeless.