Attempts on to create panic over coronavirus to divert focus

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Wednesday alleged that "some people and channels" were trying to create panic over coronovirus in the country to divert attention from the Delhi communal riots.

She said "happy and healthy" people were killed in Delhi because of violence and not a virus.

"Today some people are shouting corona, corona [coronavirus] a bit too much. Yes, it's a dreaded disease but don't create panic. Some (TV) channels are creating hype over it to suppress Delhi violence. Do report when it occurs. We don't want the disease to spread, but don't create panic," she told a TMC meeting here in South Dinajpur.

A total of 28 COVID-19 positive cases have been detected in India so far, according to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. None of these are in West Bengal.

"Those who died in Delhi violence, didn't die of coronavirus or any other diesease. If they had died from the virus, we would have at least known they died due to a dreaded disease. But healthy and happy people were mercilessly burnt to death and killed," she said.

Without naming the BJP or the Centre, the TMC supremo said they did not even care to apologise. "Think of their arrogance. They are saying Goli Maro...let me warn them Bengal and Delhi are not the same."