Kolkata: West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose has decided to visit the violence-hit Murshidabad district on Thursday night, despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urging him earlier in the day to delay the visit until the situation stabilizes.
Sources at Raj Bhavan confirmed that the Governor would travel to Murshidabad on Thursday night and stay at the District Circuit House. On Friday morning, he plans to tour several affected areas in the minority-dominated district, which has seen widespread unrest throughout the week following violent protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
Earlier in the day, CM Mamata Banerjee made a public appeal to the Governor through the media, asking him to postpone his visit.
“I could have gone there myself, but I didn’t, as my visit might encourage others to go too. Even the West Bengal Commission for Women wanted to visit, but I advised them to wait a few more days,” she said, adding that she would only travel to Murshidabad once peace is fully restored.
Meanwhile, ADG Law & Order (South Bengal Range), Supratim Sarkar, addressed the media on Thursday evening and acknowledged the need to review whether there had been an intelligence failure in anticipating the unrest.
He also shared updates on the situation:
• 60 FIRs have been filed so far.
• 274 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
• 75 displaced individuals have been safely returned to their homes.
Mr. Sarkar assured that adequate security is in place, with both police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) camps stationed in the region.
“We are ensuring people can return home and live without fear,” he said.
