Is Mamata Banerjee Finally Visiting Violence-Affected Murshidabad?

Synopsis
Mamata Banerjee's impending visit to Murshidabad, after a month of unrest, raises questions about the government's response to the violence and the restoration of peace in the region. As tensions remain high, her actions during this visit will be closely scrutinized.
Key Takeaways
- Mamata Banerjee visits Murshidabad after communal unrest.
- Engagement with affected communities is planned.
- Political criticism surrounds the timing of her visit.
- The Governor's assessment highlights state government lapses.
- Community restoration of confidence is essential.
Kolkata, May 5 (NationPress) Nearly a month after the communal violence erupted in the minority-majority Murshidabad district of West Bengal during protests concerning the Waqf Act, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to commence a two-day visit to the region starting Monday.
According to the provisional itinerary for the Chief Minister, she will arrive in the administrative center of Baharampur in the evening and conduct an organizational meeting.
On Tuesday, her agenda includes visiting the impacted areas such as Dhulian and Samserganj, where she will engage with local residents. Additionally, she will lead an administrative review meeting at Dhulian.
The outbreak of communal violence in Murshidabad and several other regions began on April 8. This unrest caused numerous Hindus to flee their homes, seeking refuge in adjacent districts. The turmoil persisted until the High Court mandated the deployment of paramilitary forces on April 12.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a former five-time Congress Lok Sabha member and ex-state party president, has criticized the Chief Minister's delayed visit to Murshidabad.
“I am certain that upon her visit, she will attempt to portray the situation as if nothing significant occurred in Murshidabad last month,” Chowdhury remarked.
This visit comes shortly after reports emerged regarding Governor C.V. Ananda Bose submitting a report to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, outlining various shortcomings attributed to the state government in managing the communal unrest in the district and across West Bengal.
Previously, during the peak of the communal violence in Murshidabad, the Chief Minister explained her absence, urging the Governor to cancel his planned visit to the affected areas.
“I am choosing not to go now; I want the situation to stabilize. Let the community's trust be restored, and only then will I visit. I will also ask the Governor to avoid Murshidabad for now,” the Chief Minister stated last month.
Despite her request, the Governor proceeded with his visit to the troubled areas of Murshidabad last month, where he engaged with the affected populace. He also visited a temporary relief camp in the nearby Malda district housing those displaced.