Days after a clash erupted between villagers along the India-Bangladesh border in Malda district, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday advised restraint and asked people not to give into provocation and venture into the neighbouring country.
She alleged that there was a conspiracy to create tensions between the neighbouring nations. “BSF is guarding the border. It is their responsibility. I will ask the people not to step into any provocation. No one should go to Bhat side (across Bangladesh border). Through provocation, some sections are intending to create trouble between the two countries,” Banerjee said during an administrative meeting in Murshidabad.
“Don’t take law in your own hands and do not go to that side. Let administration do its work. I would like to ask the administration to use loudspeakers and spread awareness,” she added.
Malda was the latest district to witness clashes along the border villages. Previously, similar clashes had taken place in Murshidabad and Cooch Behar.
In November last year, communal clashes erupted in Bengal after an objectionable message was circulated. Prohibitory orders were placed and the internet was clamped down in several areas of Murshidabad for days.
In Cooch Behar, villagers had erected their own fence.
The tension further rose as Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB) protested and thwarted the BSF move to continue fencing work along the border.
Citing the Beldanga incident, in which two groups clashed over an “objectionable” message on a digital display board at a temporary gate of a Kartik Puja pandal, Banerjee Monday also alleged that there was another conspiracy to fan communal tensions in Murshidabad. “A few days back, there was an attempt to create communal trouble in Beldanga. Myself and other top administrative officers were awake all night monitoring the situation. We could prevent it,” Banerjee said.
Further, she urged Muslim residents, who are in majority in the district, to protect Hindus and the minorities. “I ask all purohits and imams to work together and maintain peace. During the Beldanga incident, I have heard that an imam used loudspeakers to restrain people who were provoked by some sections,” Banerjee said.
The chief minister also announced that the ‘Duare Sarkar (government at your doorstep)’ programme will be restarted across the state from January 24 until February 1.