'Rioters are being brought to Bengal': Mamata Banerjee in Murshidabad

NEW DELHI: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday alleged that outsiders were being brought into the state to incite violence and urged people not to fall for the divisive agenda of the "BJP or religious fundamentalists".

Speaking at a government event in Murshidabad, she firmly said that the Waqf Act would not be implemented in Bengal.

"Rioters are being brought to Bengal from outside, do not get provoked by them... Do not create division among yourselves listening to the BJP or any religious fundamentalists," Mamata said.

She also appealed to the public to refrain from violent protests over the Waqf Act. "There is no question of (implementing) the Act in Bengal," she added.

Bengal CM is on a two-day visit to Murshidabad district, which witnessed violent clashes in April during protests against the Waqf Amendment Act in areas like Dhuliyan, Samserganj, and Suti. Three people were killed and several injured in the unrest.

On the second day of her visit, she reached Samserganj by helicopter and met with affected families at the local block development office. Security was tightened across the region for her visit.

A day earlier, Mamata had condemned those behind the violence, saying, “Those who are inciting violence are enemies of West Bengal,” and blamed vested interests for attempting to provoke communal tension.