News Analysis India

Tag: Murshidabad bombing

  • Bomb attack on Zakir Hossain a big conspiracy: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    By Express News Service
    KOLKATA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday described the attack on the state labour minister as a deliberate and well-planned act to eliminate a member of her cabinet. 

    Calling the attack on Zakir Hossain a ‘big conspiracy’, Banerjee also alleged that there were no railway police personnel present at the station when the incident took place.

    Three state agencies—Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Special Task Force (STF) and Counter Insurgency Force (CIF)—took the charge of the probe into the incident. The police, however, are yet to ascertain the reason behind the attack on Hossain.

    “I have gathered information from the local people which suggests the explosion was triggered from a distance. This is a big conspiracy. It is surprising that the railway had no information that the minister would board a Kolkata-bound train from the station. The railway authorities are taking the incident lightly,’’ said Mamata after visiting Hossain in SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.   

    Hossain and 25 others, who were accompanying him, were injured when crude bombs went off as soon as he arrived Nimtita railway station around 9.30 pm on Wednesday. The minister was brought to SSKM Hospital and others were admitted to healthcare units in Murshidabad district.

    Doctors at SSKM Hospital said Hossain received splinter injuries on his legs and hands. “His one finger and left ankle were also badly damaged because of the impact of the explosion. A board comprising six doctors have been formed to oversee Hossain’s treatment,” a doctor said.

    The chief minister announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for severely injured and Rs 1 lakh who suffered minor injuries.

    BJP’s state president Dilip Ghosh described the incident as a reflection of the state’s lawlessness. “Even the ministers are not safe in the state,” he said.

    State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury demanded proper probe into the incident.

  • Murshidabad bombing: West Bengal CID to probe attack on minister Jakir Hossain

    By ANI
    MURSHIDABAD: West Bengal CID takes over the case, in which state Labour Minister Jakir Hossain suffered injuries, after unidentified people hurled a bomb at him in Murshidabad on Wednesday, sources said on Thursday.

    The Minister received injuries in one hand and one leg but his condition is stable and out of danger, according to a doctor. Dr Amiya Kumar Bera, Superintendent Murshidabad Medical College said: “Hossain is stable and out of danger but his one hand and leg are injured due to the bomb attack.”

    #WATCH: WB Minister Jakir Hossain injured after unidentified persons hurled a bomb at him at Nimtita railway station, Murshidabad y’day.Murshidabad Medical College Superintendent says that he’s stable & out of danger, one hand & leg injured.(Amateur video, source unconfirmed) pic.twitter.com/ih7DLHAWLq
    — ANI (@ANI) February 18, 2021

    The Minister yesterday suffered injuries after unidentified persons hurled crude bombs at him while he was walking towards Nimtita Railway station to board the train for Kolkata. Railways minister Piyush Goyal and BJP national-general secretary and Central Observer for West Bengal Kailash Vijayvargiya condemned the attack and wished quick recovery of the injured.

    “I condemn the dastardly bomb attack at Nimtita Railway Station in West Bengal. My prayers are for the quick recovery of the injured,” Goyal tweeted. “I strongly condemn the crude bomb attack on TMC minister Jakir Hossain at Nimtita railway station, Murshidabad. I pray for their speed recovery,” Vijayvargiya said in a tweet.

    Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar termed the attack on Jakir Hossain “reprehensible” and expressed concerns over rising violence in the state. Dhankhar said that time has come for the West Bengal Home administration and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to act fast as per law, stating that there is no place for violence in a democracy.