Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators settled in border area of Jaigaon in West Bengal resorted to violence on May 2 and damaged the houses of Nepali people. A Nepali youth was killed in the violence and many vehicles were set afire. Many shops were also damaged by the violent goons. Director General of North Bengal Police Denial Shri Lepcha confirmed the incident and said two youth including one Nepali, were killed in the violence.
A high-level delegation, comprising of BJP state vice president and noted Vanvasi leader Shri Indramohan Rabha and Jalpaiguri district BJP president Shri Divpen Prananik, visited the affected areas on May 4 and presented a memorandum to Alipurduar SDO on May 5. In the memorandum, they demanded protection for the peace loving Nepali people and strict action against the erring Bangladeshi infiltrators.
According to Shri Rabha, the Gorkhas? open support to BJP in general elections in the constituency on April 30 angered the Congress and Left parties leaders. They were basically waiting for the opportunity to teach a lesson to the Nepali people and a personal fight between a Muslim youth and a Nepali youth was given the communal colour, which resulted into a big communal clash. He said a mob of Bangladeshi infiltrators, armed with sharp edge weapons, attacked the peace loving Nepali people as well as their shops and vehicles. It is to be noted that both the RSP and Congress enjoy support of these Muslim infiltrators and these leaders basically incited the violence. In the beginning, the police and local administration avoided taking any tough action against the culprits following pressure from the State Government. But the administration had to nab some of the culprits due to pressure from the BJP and Gorkha leaders.
According to District Superintendent of Police Vandana Yadav, a total of 22 people were arrested in the case and cases were registered against them under section 353, 307,147 and 148 of the IPC. Some Gorkha leaders also alleged that the miscreants had the support of some CPM leaders and they were seen moving in the area. It is to be noted that Jaigaon is a very sensitive region at Bharat-Bhutan border where a large number of Bangladeshi Muslim infiltrators have been settled under a well planned strategy for drawing political mileage.
(By Basudev Pal)
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