Kolkata:
The Central Bureau of Investigation has named 21 people accused in the Birbhum massacre, of which eight were beaten and burned alive earlier this week, sparking political outrage. Sources say the list of suspects is the same as that of the state police.
About 20 people were arrested after six women and two children – most of them members of a single family – were locked inside their homes and burned alive by a mob in the village of Bogtui near the Birbhum town of Rampurhat. earlier this week. The attack was believed to be in retaliation for the murder of a local Trinamool Parliament leader, Bhadu Sheikh, who died in a bombing.
Mamata Banerjee, during her visit to Bogtui, said that no one would be spared. She has also promised that her party’s bloc president Anarul Hossain will be arrested for failing to notify the police and help them stop crime.
Speaking to reporters while being taken away for questioning by the CBI, Anarul Hossain said, “It was a conspiracy by my opponents.”
The CBI team set up a makeshift camp at a government guesthouse in Rampurhat. Led by senior officer Akhilesh Singh, the team has now separated and began work by visiting Sona Sheikh’s home, which was on fire.
Most of the bodies were recovered from this house in Bogtui village, including the bodies of the newlyweds, Lily Khatun and her husband.
The CBI must file a status report on its investigation by April 7 in the Calcutta Supreme Court, which ordered the investigation by the Central Authority on Friday. The court – which had heard the suo motu case – denied the Mamata Banerjee government’s request not to hand over the investigation to the CBI.
Faced with political backlash over the killings, the minister alleged that there was “something big” behind the incident.
Mamata Banerjee said: “I never believed something so barbaric could happen in modern Bengal. Mothers and children were killed. Your family members died but my heart was crushed.” , Mamata Banerjee said, surrounded by family members and loved ones of the dead, besides villagers. Alleging a larger conspiracy, she called for “strict action” and said police would investigate every angle.
At least 20 people have been arrested by local police in connection with the incident. Two local police officers were dismissed for negligence.
Alleging that local leaders of the Trinamool Congress were involved in the murders, the state’s opposition BJP requested a focused investigation. The party also called for a Presidential Rule in the state.
