Gripped by fear, villagers flee Bengal village hours after arson guts homes | Exclusive ground report
India Today
The arson in Bengal’s Birbhum has set in motion a political storm in the state with the BJP attacking the Trinamool and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the capsizing law and order situation.
An eerie silence has gripped the Baguti village in Bengal’s Birbhum district. The air was already tense since Monday when a crude bomb attack killed deputy panchayat chief Bhadu Sheikh, who had links with the ruling Trinamool Congress. This morning, the village woke up to incidents of arson - homes were gutted and at least eight killed. One of the houses set ablaze is right opposite Bhadu Sheikh’s home. Residents have started to flee in fear.
Noor ali, Bhadu Seikh's brother, has also left.
“My brother was killed yesterday, another one has been arrested. I have women in my family. I cannot live here in fear. I have lost family members. I am moving out with my family,” Noor Ali told India Today TV as he packed to leave. Asked if he saw what happened on Monday night, Ali said, “I was in the hospital. I don't know how or what happened.”
Also Read: | 'Uncalled for,' says Mamata Banerjee after Governor's 'arson orgy' tweet
Another young man, Khairul Sheikh, was helping his uncle's family move out. A distant relative of Bhadu Sheikh, Khairul blamed the police for the plight of his family. He does not live in the area but had come to help his family leave. He, too, does not know how the house caught fire.
“We are leaving to save our lives. The police have asked us to go. A rival faction within the Trinamool Congress is behind all this. They are all members of the TMC. The police have been able to do nothing,” a distraught Khairul said.
The arson in Bengal’s Birbhum has set in motion a political storm in the state with the BJP attacking the Trinamool and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the capsizing law and order situation. While the Governor has called the incident an “arson orgy”, the Centre has sought a report within 72 hours, with several BJP MPs, MLAs and leaders baying for Banerjee’s resignation.
