BJP MLA from Nandigram and Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Friday visited Mothabari in Malda district, which recently saw communal clashes and stated that atrocities have been committed against Hindu community in the area.
After a Calcutta High Court order Adhikari visited various areas in Mothabari and met with the local Hindu families assuring them support as well as asking them to stay united.
“Atrocties have been committed against Hindus in Mothabari. They have been assaulted and their houses and shops ransacked. We are here to stand with them. There is a petition at Calcutta High Court alleging police inaction in Mothabari. I am sure the Calcutta High Court will look into the matter,” the BJP leader said.
The BJP leader also provided monetary aid and relief materials to the affected families. “We have made an estimate of damages to houses and shops. We have given some monetary help. More will be done,” Adhikari said.
Last month, violence erupted in Mothabari due to clashes between two communities in the area. Following this, a large contingent of police personnel were posted in the area, internet services were suspended and prohibitory orders were issued.
Taking a dig at the ruling party in the state, Adhikari said, “During the Lok Sabha polls TMC lagged behind in the area by 48,000 votes. This area has 64 per cent Muslims and 34 per cent Hindu population. TMC is trying to consolidate the Muslim vote bank here through such incidents so that they can win in the upcoming Assembly polls (next year). But we will ensure that such incidents never happen again. We will give protection to Hindu families here.”
Sabina Yasmin, TMC MLA from Mothabari, while speaking to The Indian Express, said, “He always says such rubbish. It is not in my dignity to answer such rubbish and false allegations.”
On March 27, following a Ram Navmi preparatory rally, trouble erupted in Mothabari. A section of people blocked roads and later ransacked vehicles and some shops in the area. Police resorted to lathi charge and lob tear gas shells to control the situation. Thirty four people were arrested by police.
On March 30, a BJP delegation led by party state president and Union MoS (education) Sukanta Majumdar was not allowed to visit Mothabari. Citing prohibitory orders police stopped the delegation at Englishbazar area, three kms away from Mothabari.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court granted permission to Adhikari and BJP MLA Ashok Dinda to visit the violence-hit Mothabari on April 11.