The Centre has sought a report from West Bengal government on the recent violence in Malda district which has led to communal tension in the area and public properties were destroyed. "The Home Ministry has sought the report from the state government. They should submit it as early as possible," a senior official said. A mob protesting against the alleged blasphemous comments by a right wing leader had recently resorted to violence in Malda during which Kaliachak police station was reportedly attacked, he said.
There are reports that some people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident. Besides, there have been unconfirmed reports of gun fire in the area, the official said. "The report from West Bengal government will give the exact details of the reason of the violence and the present status there," he said. BJP delegation led by Shamik Bhattacharya, its lone MLA in West Bengal Assembly, was not allowed to visit Kaliachak village, about 30 km from here, which had witnessed violence on Sunday.
BJP leader debarred from visiting
A 25-member delegation led by Bhattacharya was detained by the police and taken to the local police station. But they were released in about ten minutes. The delegation was requested by the police not to visit the village in view of the law and order situation. Later, Bhattacharya told reporters that they wanted to visit the village to know about the exact reason of the Sunday's incident but was not allowed to go. Bhattyacharya also said he had received a phone call from the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee while he was sitting in the police station. He however, declined to divulge the content of their conversation. Earlier on Sunday, violence broke out at Kaliachak over an alleged remark of a BJP leader, police said.
