Babul Supriyo booked for bid to visit riot-hit areas

The Bengal Police on Wednesday slapped two FIRs against Union Minister and Asansol MP Babul Supriyo for trying to visit parts of violence-torn areas of his constituency at Raniganj where at least three people died and many more, including a senior IPS officer, were injured on March 25 communal clashes.

Supriyo, who tried to visit the victims of the riot — currently sheltered in makeshift camps — but was prevented by police later said he was not only physically pushed back but also two FIRs were filed against him for no fault of his.

“Being a local MP and a Minister I had every right to visit the area but police not only denied me access but also filed FIRs against me,” the singer-turned politician said wondering why police were harsher on a particular group of people and lenient with others.

Meanwhile, in a role reversal of sorts some Ministers of Mamata Banerjee Cabinet have decided to steal the saffron show by taking out processions on the Hanuman Jayanti Day, sources said. “We are not concerned with what others do we have decided to do our bit,” said Sadhan Pandey a State Minister who will take out a procession on March 31.

Other Trinamool leaders who would take out processions are cricketer-turned Minister Laxmi Ratan Shukla and Sujit Basu, sources said.

Notwithstanding the fact that the communal heat threatened to spread in neighbouring Asansol, police offered a routine statement claiming the “situation was normal and under control.”

IG, police SN Gupta, said, “The situation is under control and peace is returning in the area. We will like the people not to venture out and not lend ear to rumours.”

He said 60 people have been arrested so far for trying to spread communal tension.