Murshidabad violence orchestrated by 'outsiders': Mamata Banerjee

At least three people, including a father and son, died and over 280 have been arrested in connection with the violence earlier this month

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday asserted that outsiders were responsible for the violence that erupted in parts of Murshidabad district over the Waqf Act recently, and said she would visit the troubled areas in the first week of May to evaluate the situation.

Banerjee also said her government would soon expose the conspirators behind the riots that took place in two wards of Dhulian in the district.

"The violence was unfortunate. We do not want riots. Some outsiders orchestrated it, but we will expose them and their conspiracy," she said at an administrative programme in Midnapore.

"I have promised the families of those killed in the violence to give a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each. We will also rebuild their houses under the 'Banglar Bari' scheme... I will be going there in the first week of May and evaluate the situation, Banerjee said.

The CM also said that the state government could take responsibility for the education of the children of those killed in the violence.

"We are surveying the damages faced by the shopkeepers there," she said.

Governor C V Ananda Bose had on April 19 met family members of a man and his son, who were killed during violence over anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protests in Murshidabad district, and assured them of all possible support.

At least three people died and over 280 have been arrested in connection with the violence earlier this month.