Birbhum fire deaths: Calcutta HC seeks report within 24 hours, directs West Bengal govt to install CCTVs

Aritra Singha Updated: Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 09:17 PM IST
Birbhum: Police personnel near the houses that were set on fire by some miscreants allegedly for avenging the killing of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh, at Rampurhat in Birbhum district, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. At least 8 persons were burnt to death in the incident, according to officials.  | (PTI Photo)

Birbhum: Police personnel near the houses that were set on fire by some miscreants allegedly for avenging the killing of TMC leader Bhadu Sheikh, at Rampurhat in Birbhum district, Tuesday, March 22, 2022. At least 8 persons were burnt to death in the incident, according to officials. | (PTI Photo)

Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Wednesday ordered the Central Forensic team to collect samples at the Rampurhat incident.

According to High Court sources, the court had asked the state government to submit their report over the incident by Thursday 2 pm.

“The court had asked to install CCTV cameras for witness protection and had asked the central forensic team to collect samples and submit them before the court,” said the sources.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Wednesday also requested SP Birbhum Nagendra Tripathi to conduct an investigation in the Birbhum incident and submit a report within three days.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi while inaugurating a gallery on Freedom Fighters in Victoria Memorial virtually assured all help to the state government to investigate the incident of Rampurhat.

“It is an unfortunate incident that had happened in Birbhum. The culprits should not be spared and if the state government wants the Central government is assuring of all help to them,” said Modi.

Modi also appealed to the people of Bengal that such ‘culprits’ should not be forgiven.

“People of Bengal should not encourage such people who have done such a violent act. These people should not be forgiven,” further added Modi.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari along with 55 BJP MLAs visited Rampurhat.

After visiting the hospital where the injured are being treated, Adhikari claimed that despite writing to the health department that the hospital doesn’t have a burn unit, the injured are being treated there.

“I request the health department to shift the injured people to hospitals that have burn departments or else the condition of such patients can worsen,” said Adhikari.

Earlier this day while the BJP MLAs visited the charred house was stopped by the police and barricades were done so that the MLAs don’t enter the house.

“The Chief Minister will be going to Birbhum to wipe off the evidence. It is a blast case and a NIA probe should be given along with CBI to investigate the Birbhum incident,” further added Adhikari.

On the other hand Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury had written a letter to President Ramnath Kovind for invoking Article 355 in the state.

Published on: Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 09:17 PM IST

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