No problem with NIA probe into Burdwan blast: Mamata

Faced with a barrage of criticism over her government's handling of the Burdwanblast, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today said she had no problem with the NIA probe since "terrorists are terrorists", but only wanted the Centre to consult the state before taking any decision. In her first statement over the October 2 blast, Banerjee said "we want the truth to come out" and warned the BJP, without naming the party, against linking the incident with religion.

"Ciminals are criminals. They do not have caste, creed or religion. Terrorists are terrorists and there can be no compromise with terrorism," Banerjee told a press conference at the party headquarters after a party meeting attended by MPs, ministers and MLAs.

Mamata had earlier expressed reservation over the Centre's decision ordering a NIA probe into the blast, in which terror links are suspected, suo motu without informing the state government.

"We want that there should be discussion," she said, adding that central agencies always had to depend on the local police.

"The incident should be looked at seriously," she said, adding that the state police was helping the NIA in the investigation. She said she had no complaint about the ongoing NIA probe into the incident and took a potshot at the media for interpreting a recent Facebook comment by her as one on NIA.

"I had posted a Facebook post. Nowhere did I mention NIA. But media kept saying my post was about NIA," she said responding to the question. The Chief Minister praised the state police for handling the case. "It was Ashtami (the second day of the just-concluded four-day Durga Puja festival) when the Burdwanincident took place. Lakhs of people were celebrating Durga Puja. Our police managed the situation well."

Mamata said that the incident should not be linked with religion and that there was no use pitting Hindus against Muslims and people of any other religion against each other for that matter. She said Bangladesh "is our brother" and the neighbouring country should not be linked with terrorism.

"Riots are the biggest curse for a country. The flames of riots can engulf the entire nation and destroy India. We all are Indians. We all love our country. We cannot support fundamentalism based on religion. Bengal is a land of communal harmony. Our motto is Sarva Dharma Samannaya," she said.

As the BJP was breathing down her neck accusing the state of not doing enough to check illegal infiltration from Bangladesh, Banerjee hit back, saying "borders are manned by central agencies like the BSF or the SSB. They are responsible for infiltration".

"It is the Centre's responsibility to check illegal migration. If any infiltration has taken place, it is their responsiblity," she said.

Admitting that "some infiltration" has indeed taken place, she explained that the state government would take action whenever "we are informed", but "they do not inform".