Mamata Banerjee slams local police over Birbhum arson case

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at local police, stating that the Birbhum arson incident could have been avoided.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday slammed the local police for not acting immediately and said the Birbhum incident could have been avoided.

Banerjee said, " This incident could have been avoided if the police had gone immediately. They did not fulfil their responsibility. Action must be taken against those who knowingly did not perform their duty."

READ | Who is Anirul Hossain, Trinamool Congress leader arrested in Birbhum arson case

The West Bengal Chief Minister was in Bagtui village on Thursday to meet the kin of those who were killed in arson. Anirul Hossain, a Trinamool Congress leader, was arrested hours after Mamata Banerjee asked Hossain to either surrender or face arrest. He was accused of being involved in the case, with the families of victims demanding his immediate arrest.

However, Mamata Banerjee refused to rule out the involvement of outsiders in violence. She said, "Police officials are investigating all sides. They are probing who all are involved. Was it done locally or whether outsiders were involved in it. Police have to check all angles."

Meanwhile, Marafat Hossain, father of killed TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh said his son never left the house and called for justice. Bhadu Sheikh’s rival Sona Sheikh and his family were locked inside their home and set ablaze on Tuesday, and at least eight people were charred to death.

Hasina Bibi, Sona Sheikh's sister, who arrived to meet CM Mamata Banerjee, said the accused Anirul and Badhu were close friends.