'I will go to Murshidabad, request Guv Bose not to visit now,' says CM Mamata Banerjee amid violence probe

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday said she would visit Murshidabad following the recent clashes that killed three and requested Governor CV Ananda Bose to postpone his proposed trip to the violence-hit district. She said that the state government will build houses for the victims of the clashes.

“I will go to Murshidabad. An SIT has been formed to investigate the unrest in Murshidabad. The state government will build houses for the victims. The administration is trying to restore the confidence of the people of Murshidabad. Would request Guv not to visit riot-hit Murshidabad now,” said Banerjee.

The West Bengal governor is set to visit Murshidabad on Friday. Speaking on the violence, Bose said that the situation is currently under control.

Also read: West Bengal Guv CV Ananda Bose to visit violence-hit Murshidabad district

"I am going to the field to see for myself the realities of the field. I will have an objective view of the matter. The situation has been brought under control. We should take further steps to prevent similar instances in future. I will certainly visit Murshidabad...People from the area have requested to have a BSF camp there," he said.

Bose is expected to visit the victims of the violence, evaluate the situation on the ground, and hold meetings with district officials and police personnel, as per Raj Bhawan officials quoted by news agency PTI.

So far, over 250 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, according to police. Heavy security, including the Rapid Action Force, CRPF, and nearly 900 Border Security Force personnel, has been deployed in affected areas such as Samserganj and Dhuliyan to maintain order.

The West Bengal Police has constituted a Special Investigation Team comprising officials from the CID, Counter Insurgency Force, and Cyber Crime unit to probe the clashes.

Earlier in the day, Banerjee met with Muslim clerics in Kolkata and announced Rs 10 lakh compensation for the families of those killed. She added that she had instructed the Chief Secretary to file a report on the incident.

The visit comes comes following the violent clashes that broke out in Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on 11 April. The unrest claimed three lives, left many injured, and led to large-scale property damage. One of the deceased reportedly died in police firing, as per PTI. A father-son duo was also among those killed.