Alleging negligence on the part of the Border Security Force, the ruling party also sought time from Bose to meet him over the issue. A 12-member party delegation will go to the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, it is learnt.

“The incident occurred during the digging of a drain which was being done illegally under the BSF’s directions and without consent of the competent authorities,” read the letter. “We appeal to you to show the same urgency and compassion and visit Chopra immediately,” the letter read.

Addressing a press conference in Kolkata, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh, and ministers Shashi Panja and Bratya Basu said the delegation will not only meet the Governor but also ask if he would write a letter to the Union Home Minister in this regard.

The TMC has also extended assistance of Rs 3 lakh each to the four families who lost their children in the mishap.

Denying the TMC’s charge, the BSF in a statement said it was some civilians who were carrying out digging work with a JCB machine at the spot. “At about 12:50 hours, BSF troops from the Chetnagach outpost deployed on the Indo-Bangladesh border heard some noise.

They immediately informed their Company Commander who along with some troops reached the spot to see that some villagers were digging earth while trying to rescue some children buried under the soil,” read the statement.

Surojit Sen, a BJP leader, said the TMC is trying to use it as an opportunity to divert people’s attention from Sandeshkhali.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights wrote to the local SP and the DM seeking a report on the incident. A fact-finding team of the Commission will also visit Chopra on Wednesday, officials said. “We will also write to the National Commission For Protection of Child Rights to look into the matter,” a Commission official said.