Jalpaiguri blast method alarming, says Mamata

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday condemned the blast in Jalpaiguri which claimed six lives, and said the way the explosion was carried out was alarming.

"The way the people were killed and the materials used in the blast, it's very alarming and dangerous," Banerjee told the media after a meeting with union Home Secretary Anil Goswami at the state secretariat here.

While police suspect involvement of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO) in the blast, Banerjee denied discussing the separatist outfit during her meeting with Goswami.

"No, there was no discussion (about) anything like that," she said.

Banerjee asserted that her government will rehabilitate those who have lost their dear ones in the blast.

She said people who indulge in violence should never be tolerated.

"It's the Rajbanshi people who have been killed. It's unfortunate," said Banerjee.

"Those who have been killed are part of our family... why do such things happen? These things can never be tolerated."

"In today's world, why does our mindset not change? Those who indulge in violence, riots, nobody should give them indulgence. Like good people exist, there are also some black sheep, though their number is less," Banerjee added.

Meanwhile, one more person was arrested Tuesday, taking the total number of people arrested to three over the Dec 26 blast in Bajrapara area of Jalpaiguri.

Confirming the arrest, Jalpaiguri Superintendent of Police Amit P. Javalgi said the 25-year-old youth was nabbed from Kharibari area in neighbouring Darjeeling district.

Police arrested former KLO member Chandan Roy from Jalpaiguri and Kamtapur Peoples Party general secretary Nubas Burman from Cooch Behar district.

The KLO has been demanding a Kamtapur state comprising six districts - Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, North and South Dinajpur and Malda - of West Bengal and four districts of Assam - Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Dhubri and Goalpara.

The organisation has also been demanding special status to the Rajbanshi language and culture.