NEW DELHI: Prime Minister
Narendra Modi on Wednesday hoped that the West
Bengal
government will punish the culprits involved in the
Birbhum
killings and assure all possible help from the Centre to the state.
Eight people were charred to death as their houses were set on fire in Bogtui village near Rampurhat town of Birbhum district early on Tuesday.
The PM also urged the people of Bengal not to forgive those who encouraged such criminals.
"I express my condolences over Birbhum violence in West Bengal. Whatever help is needed to book culprits, I assure all possible help from Centre to State. I hope state government takes strict action against culprits and those who encourage such criminals should not be forgiven too," PM Modi said on Twitter.
Earlier today, West Bengal chief minister
Mamata Banerjee called the Rampurhat incident "unfortunate" but added that such incidents are more frequent in UP, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.
Mamata, who will visit Rampurhat on March 24, said she is not justifying the killings and her government will take action in a fair manner.
"Strict action will be taken against all those responsible for the Birbhum incident, irrespective of their (political) colours,"
Mamata
said.
"The government is ours, we are concerned about people in our state. We would never want anyone to suffer. The Birbhum, Rampurhat incident is unfortunate. I have immediately dismissed the OC, SDPO. I will go to Rampurhat tomorrow," Mamata said.
Meanwhile, the Calcutta high court has directed CFSL Delhi to immediately collect necessary materials for forensic examination at Bogtui village in Bengal's Birbhum district.
The court asked the state government to file a report in the case before it by 2 pm on Thursday, when the matter will be taken up for hearing again.
At least 22 people have been arrested so far in connection with the violence, a senior police officer said on Wednesday.