At least eight people – 6 women and 2 children – have been burned to death in the Rampurhat area of West Bengal's Birbhum district on Tuesday. A mob allegedly set houses on fire after locking people inside. According to reports, this carnage was in retaliation for the killing of Trinamool Congress leader Bhadu Shaikh on Monday evening.

Police informed that four men on two motorcycles allegedly lobbed crude bombs at Shaikh. Shaikh was taken to the government hospital in Rampurhat block, but died on the way.

DGP West Bengal, Manoj Malviya informed that 11 arrests have been made so far in the case. "Today (Tuesday) morning the bodies of seven people have been removed from the same house. A total of eight people have died," said Malviya.

West Bengal has been in the news for all the wrong reasons starting from the post-poll violence that targeted opposition workers in the state.

Background

According to reports, Bhadu Shaikh maintained his supremacy on the illegal sand and stone business in the area. The illegal activities had given him near absolute clout over the political affairs in Rampurhat area, where TMC enjoys its sway.

Most local people said the fire massacre had occurred as a result of the murder of Bhadu Shaikh, but police did not confirm it. Most of the 11 people arrested in connection with the carnage are close aides and relatives of Shaikh. 

Reactions

The Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, took suo-moto cognizance of the arson case, and told that the Chief Justice bench will hear the matter at 2 PM.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sought an action taken report from West Bengal police in connection with the Birbhum incident within three days.

"TMC extremists in Rampurhat area under Birbhum District of West Bengal set ablaze multiple houses and as a result of which around 10 women and children were charred alive," reads the NCPCR letter.

Speaking about the gruesome incident, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar strongly condemned the violence, and said that human rights have been “decimated” and rule of law has been “capsized”.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has also demanded a detailed report from the West Bengal government on this incident.

Political Ruckus

Opposition parties targeted the state government for the “deteriorating law and order”, with the BJP walking out of the state Assembly in protest.

A nine-member delegation of BJP MPs from Bengal met Union HM Amit Shah and sought his ministry’s intervention and action against the perpetrators involved in the crime.

On the other hand, LoP in West Bengal’s assembly Suvendu Adhikari has asked the Centre to impose President’s rule in the state, considering the derogation of law and order in TMC ruled Bengal.

"Locals tells us that about 20 people have been killed there but no one knows the actual number because no one is being allowed to enter in Birbhum. There is a need for an independent impartial inquiry into the matter. CBI should be handed over the case," said Locket Chatterjee, BJP MP from Hooghly.