Murshidabad riots ‘planned’, led by outsiders: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday claimed that “outsiders” were responsible for the Murshidabad communal violence which, she said, was a “pre-planned attack” and blamed the BSF for the firing. Without naming the Centre, she said instead of inciting communal violence, efforts must be taken to protect our borders.Asked about the Bengal Governor’s report on the Murshidabad violence, Banerjee said she has no knowledge of the report sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), or about the mention of Article 356 in the state. Banerjee is on a two-day visit to Murshidabad district, where three persons died in the violence following protests over the Waqf Amendment Act on April 8.

“The Murshidabad communal violence incident was pre-planned. Those who created communal tension and are selling the country, please take care of our borders. Please save India and give justice to the people who have lost their near and dear ones. Don’t play nasty politics. When you are in the chair, you cannot divide people on religious lines,” claimed Mamata Banerjee in an apparent dig at the BJP-led Centre.

“I have seen 10-12 PMs during my political career but I have not seen an ‘acting PM’. May I ask the BJP who is the acting PM?” Banerjee said, hinting at Union Home Minister Amit Shah, without naming him. However, she made it clear that she was not talking about the present PM.

Asserting the situation in Murshidabad is peaceful now, she said some outsiders, and a few religious leaders were trying to incite violence and create animosity among communities.