‘The game is on’: Mamata Banerjee alleges Malda incident was ‘pre-planned’ BJP conspiracy

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday accused the BJP of creating unrest in Malda, where seven judicial officers were held hostage by villagers on Wednesday, alleging that the saffron party brought outsiders to provoke violence.

Banerjee claimed that the incident was a pre-planned conspiracy orchestrated by outsiders brought from Mumbai. She further stated that the West Bengal CID has made arrests while the National Investigation Agency has failed.

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“The incident in Malda has been taken up by the CID. People were brought in from Mumbai. They had hired individuals and planned everything. But while the NIA could not catch them, our CID has arrested them,” Banerjee said while addressing a poll rally at Hazaripar Ground in Harirampur.

She alleged that the BJP is moving cash using CRPF vehicles in a bid to influence the elections, while also questioning the massive bureaucratic reshuffle ordered by the ECI in the run up to the Assembly polls.

“BJP is bringing in money using CRPF vehicles. Elections are being held in five states. A total of 506 officers have been transferred, out of which 483 are from Bengal alone,” CM Banerjee said, adding “The game is on, and it will be intense.”

Thousands of people protesting against the removal of voters from the electoral rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in West Bengal.

On Wednesday, the protesters blocked the two gates of the Kaliachowk-2 Block Development Office (BDO), holding staff, including seven judicial officers “hostage” for hours before they were rescued after midnight.

The Bengal CID has arrested Mofakkarul Islam, an advocate and former AIMIM candidate, at Bagdogra Airport, identifying him as the key conspirator in the Malda incident.

NIA takes over probe into Malda incident

Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also started a probe by registering a “preliminary enquiry” into the Malda violence case.

The anti-terror agency initiated the preliminary enquiry after the Election Commission of India (ECI) formally referred the matter, sending a letter to its Director General.

The ECI’s direction to the NIA came following the Supreme Court’s order issued on Thursday, asking the poll panel that “a central agency, either CBI or NIA” probe the incident, pointing out the attack was “deliberate and calculated” attempt to demoralise the judicial officers and obstruct them from discharging their duty.

The apex court had also mentioned specifically that it cannot be tolerated, and also directed the ECI to seek deployment of central forces for the protection of the officers and their families in the state.