Mamata's Police Disputes Her ‘Outsider’ Narrative in Murshidabad Violence: Amit Malviya

Synopsis

Amit Malviya claims that the West Bengal police have debunked Mamata Banerjee's 'outsider' theory regarding the communal violence in Murshidabad, confirming the involvement of local youths in the unrest. The police have acknowledged intelligence failures leading to the violence.

Key Takeaways

Mamata Banerjee's 'outsider' theory challenged
Local youths involved in Murshidabad violence
Police report contradicts Banerjee's claims
Intelligence failures under review
Mob violence escalated in multiple areas

Kolkata, April 18 (NationPress) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s notion of an “outsider” influencing the recent communal disturbances in the minority-heavy Murshidabad district concerning protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act has been challenged by the state police, which operates under her direct supervision, claimed Amit Malviya, the BJP’s Information Technology cell head and the party’s central observer for the state on Friday.

“The West Bengal Police has thoroughly discredited Home Minister Mamata Banerjee’s assertions regarding the recent communal unrest in Murshidabad. The police's official report revealed that the mob involved in the violent incidents at Sajur More on April 11 consisted of 'local youths' equipped with 'lethal weapons', including bombs, and even 'opened fire on the police'. In contrast to Banerjee’s implication that the chaos was incited by outsiders, intelligence reports had already alerted about an 'agitational program' planned by 'some local individuals' following Jumma prayers,” Malviya stated on his official X handle.

These assertions by Malviya arrived just a day after a senior police official acknowledged that complaints regarding intelligence failures in predicting the violent turn of the protest are under review by higher authorities within the state police.

Notably, on Thursday, the heads of two police stations, namely Samserganj and Suti, the most affected areas in the district, were also reassigned due to complaints of similar intelligence shortcomings.

Malviya further asserted that the situation intensified in Dhuliyan, also within Murshidabad, where mobs obstructed the National Highway, threw stones and bricks, damaged government and private properties, and engaged in looting and arson, targeting shops, temples, and residences.

“On April 12, unrest persisted as an 'agitated mob' attempted to destroy homes belonging to Hindu families in Ghoshpara, under the jurisdiction of the Samsherganj Police Station,” Malviya added.

Ghoshpara is a small locality inhabited by the Hindu community within the predominantly minority area of Samserganj in Murshidabad district.