BJP is trying to replicate Manipur-like riots in Bengal, alleges Mamata Banerjee

Salboni: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged the BJP was behind the ethnic violence in Manipur and the party is trying to replicate the situation in her state. She said the BJP is planning to orchestrate ethnic riots in Bengal.

"The BJP was behind ethnic violence in Manipur. The saffron party is trying to replicate similar riots between communities in West Bengal. They want to create a situation wherein Adivasis will fight Kurmis so that the army can be called in and the military will have shoot-at-sight orders," she said at a rally in Salboni.

The Trinamool Congress chief also condemned the attack on state minister Birbaha Hansda's vehicle. She claimed that BJP activists were behind yesterday's incident and not members of the Kurmi community. "I condemn yesterday's violence. I don't believe Kurmis were behind the attack. BJP workers disguised as members of the Kurmi community were behind it."

The vehicle was part of TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee's convoy. While it was in the trial-dominated district, stones were pelted at it.

She also assured that the people trying to fuel ethnic riots in the state will not be spared. She was speaking to the people as part of the party's mass outreach campaign 'Trinamool e Nabojowar' (new wave in Trinamool).