BJP central team leaves for violence hit Birbhum

A central BJP team led by party vice president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Thursday embarked on a fact-finding mission to West Bengal's Birbhum district where a political clash Monday claimed three lives.

The state administration, which has clamped prohibitory orders in the area, shot off a letter to the state BJP informing it about the restrictions on movements and any gathering of people.

The administration Wednesday prevented delegations of the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Congress and the Left Front from visiting the area.

The clash allegedly between activists of the ruling Trinamool Congress and the BJP took place in Makhra village, during which three people were killed and many others injured.

State BJP president Rahul Sinha said: "We have received a fax from the state home department informing us about the prohibitory orders and asking us to postpone our mission. But we are unperturbed."

"The state government cannot prevent us from making a lawful visit."

The letter signed by special secretary to the West Bengal government M.K. Kundu said: "Prohibitory orders have been promulgated under section 144 of the Cr.PC in the said village. I am, therefore, directed to request you to kindly plan your visits accordingly."

Sinha, who has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the incident and moved the Calcutta High Court, said the state home ministry letter will be presented before the court to substantiate its claim of the ruling Trinamool disrupting peace in the area.

"All these attempts by the Trinamool to prevent the opposition are indicative of the fact that they have many things to hide," said Sinha.

Naqvi too expressed his displeasure over the government's bid to prevent the visit.

"Instead of trying to stop the opposition from making the visit, it would be better if the state government channelised it efforts to prevent anti-national activities which have been claiming precious life and jeopardising the security of the state and the country," Naqvi told media persons here.

The delegation which also has MPs Kirti Azad and Udit Raj as members will submit its report about the incident to the party's central leadership.

This is the third time a central BJP team is visiting Bengal. Following attacks on its workers, a central team visited Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas and Ilambazar in Birbhum district earlier in the year.

Naqvi, who had led the Sandeshkhali delegation, in his report submitted to the party leadership in June accused the Trinamool of "patronising and harbouring Bangladeshi fundamentalists".