Murshidabad violence shows cruelty of Mamata Banerjee’s govt, says BJP’s Sudhanshu Trivedi

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Sudhanshu Trivedi has slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government over the findings of a fact-finding committee on the recent violence in Murshidabad. According to Trivedi, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report has clearly revealed that the attacks were targeted against Hindus and allegedly involved local leaders from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Addressing media on Wednesday, Trivedi said the report not only exposed communal targeting but also pointed towards total police inaction. He claimed the Mamata government has shown “cruelty” towards Hindus while favouring extremist elements. “From Murshidabad to Pahalgam, a pattern of selective violence is visible. The report uncovers the anti-Hindu cruelty of the West Bengal government,” he said.

The report, submitted by a fact-finding committee appointed by the Calcutta High Court, highlighted that 113 homes were severely damaged in Betbona village during the violence. The victims, mostly Hindu families, were initially forced to flee to Malda. However, the police later compelled them to return to their village, despite the continuing threat to their safety.

According to the report, the attacks were allegedly orchestrated under the leadership of a local councillor. It added that West Bengal Police remained inactive throughout the episodes of violence, ignoring distress calls made by the villagers. Eyewitness accounts mentioned how miscreants returned to target untouched homes, setting them ablaze using kerosene and even cutting off water supplies to prevent locals from dousing the flames.

One of the most disturbing revelations of the report was the brutal killing of Haragovinda Das (74) and his son Chandan Das (40), who were dragged from their home and murdered with axes in broad daylight. The report details how a man waited outside until both victims died, underlining the extent of the horror faced by the local population.