Malda (West Bengal) [India], March 30 : West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region Sukanta Majumdar has stated that he will try and visit Mothabari to meet those affected by the recent violence. He emphasized the importance of reaching out to victims and criticized the police response.
"We will try to go there, and our only aim is to meet those who have been tortured, whose houses have been demolished," Majumdar said.
He expressed his willingness to cooperate with the authorities if his visit is deemed a security risk.
"If the police feel that this can worsen the situation, then I am ready to meet them (victims) sitting in the police station," he stated.
Majumdar criticized the police deployment in the area, comparing it to preparations for a large-scale conflict.
"The way police are deployed there to stop Sukanta Majumdar right now, it seems as if they are going on a war," he said.
Following the violence between two groups in Mothabari area of West Bengal's Malda district, Additional Director General (ADG) Law and Order Jawed Shamim said that the situation is completely under control and 61 people have been arrested.
Speaking to ANI, ADG Jawed Shamim said, "The situation in Mothabari is completely under control. Till now, 19 cases have been registered, and 61 people have been arrested in this matter...Soon, the situation will be completely normal. Today, there have been no incidents (of violence) in the region."
IGP North Bengal Region, Rajesh Kumar Yadav said that more than three companies of the forces have been deployed.
Rajesh Kumar Yadav said, "The situation in Mothabari is now peaceful. We have deployed more than 3 companies of the forces. The specialised forces from the state headquarters are deployed, and they are patrolling the area. We have already made more than 50 arrests in this case, and the investigation is proceeding. Shops have started opening."
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar blamed the administration and the police for the clashes.
Sukanta Majumdar said, "If they (the state government) will stop us from visiting Mothabari (Malda), we will protest. If they have imposed section 163 there - we will follow that, we have this democratic right with us that we can visit there; a group of over five people are prohibited, and hence, two of us can go. The administration here is very weak; otherwise, no one dares to commit such a crime in the BJP-ruled states."
BJP held a protest against Mothabari (Malda) incident on Friday.
BJP MLA Shankar Ghosh said, "This is Mamata Banerjee's failure. She has reached the peak of appeasement politics. Such incidents have been regularized over Hindu festivals. Mamata Banerjee instilled courage in people to say Hindus would not be allowed to stay in India. She praises British rule when in England. Till this dictatorship is removed from the state, Hindus cannot survive in the state. Police should understand that this will not go on for long, if such incidents are not taken cognizance of, people's dissatisfaction will rise."
Internet was suspended in three areas after the clashes, which broke out on March 27.