'Hope State Government Takes Strict Action': PM Modi Laments Birbhum Violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 23 March, expressed concern over the violence unleashed in West Bengal's Birbhum district, where eight charred bodies were recovered, and said that he would "assure all possible help from Centre to State."

"I hope state government takes strict action against culprits, and those who encourage such criminals should not be forgiven too," the PM added.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar also addressed the 'enormity of the carnage' in Birbhum and said that he will "not say a word on the incident because the Prime Minister has spoken."

I will not say a word on that because the PM has spoken. I am sure you all listened to it. Looking at the enormity of the carnage - we have not seen such kind of carnage in recent history - he has reacted on it," the Governor stated, news agency ANI quoted.

He added that nothing can be more painful in a democracy than women and children being set ablaze.

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday took suo motu cognisance of the incident and instructed the Director-General and Inspector General of Police to ensure that "witnesses are adequately protected and not threatened or influenced by anyone."

A bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj heard the matter and the case has been listed for further hearing on 24 March.

The Birbhum Violence

Charred bodies of eight people were recovered from Rampurhat in Birbhum district after nearly 10-12 houses were set ablaze, the police said.

The houses were burnt on Monday night, amid protests over the alleged murder of a leader from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) named Bhadu Sheikh.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter and 11 people have been arrested in the case so far. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has also sought a report from the state administration over the violence.

(With inputs from ANI.)