West Bengal Waqf violence: CM Mamata Banerjee to visit riot-affected Murshidabad today

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to visit riot-hit Murshidabad on Monday. This is the first time the Trinamool Congress leader is visiting the areas affected by violence that erupted during protests against the amended Waqf law in April.

 

West Bengal Agriculture Minister Shobandeb Chatterjee said the chief minister will visit the place on Monday and added she could not visit the place because of the unrest. Speaking to the reporters, Chatterjee said, "Our leader, Mamata Banerjee has been saying this since day one that it has been very difficult for leaders to go to that area. Let the police do their job...There is peace there now, let them live in peace...What needs to be done is being done...she is going to tell everyone how they can live together," ANI reported.

 

Violence broke out in various areas of Murshidabad during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act in April. The Central government passed the amended Waqf law on April 8  and widespread protests broke out across the country. 

 

Earlier, Banerjee said she would visit Murshidabad at the right time. “Though peace has largely returned, the administration is currently focused on restoring public confidence. I could have gone, but I chose not to for a reason. I’ll visit at the right time. I request the governor and others to wait for a few days more,” she had said.

 

However, West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose visited the affected areas defying Banerjee's request. He also met affected families staying at relief camps and heard their grievances. 

 

National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar and a probe panel appointed by the Commission also visited Murshidabad and assessed the situation. The Commission took suo motu cognisance of the violence and formed a panel to probe crimes committed against women during the violent protest.

 

India