Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], April 21 (ANI): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Agnimitra Paul on Monday expressed serious concern over the recent violence in Murshidabad, describing it as a planned act of 'ethnic cleansing' allegedly carried out under the leadership of local leaders and with the support of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Paul also demanded a National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the incident to uncover the truth behind the incident.

Speaking to ANI, Paul said, 'NCW and NHRC are submitting their reports on the ground reality in Murshidabad, to the Governor. The Hindus of West Bengal are in a very scary situation. This is not a riot, it is a very planned act, under the leadership of local leaders and with the support of Mamata Banerjee... We want an investigation by the NIA so that the truth comes out... This is ethnic cleansing and is going on in a very planned way.'

Earlier in the day, BJP State President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar also expressed deep concern over the recent violence in Murshidabad, saying that 'Hindus were threatened at gunpoint and forced to chant Islamic religious slogans.'

Speaking to ANI, Majumdar said, 'Several incidents of this kind happened that day, and not just this, Hindus were held on gunpoint and forced to chant Islamic religious slogans. This will be the future of other Hindus who are staying in other parts of the state, who are thinking this problem is limited to Murshidabad... I want to ask about the whereabouts of the so-called intellectuals of Kolkata.'

His remarks came after the BJP IT department in-charge Amit Malviya highlighted a purported incident of robbery and arson in Murshidabad, where a family was robbed of cash, gold jewellery and their home was then set on fire.

In a post on X, Malviya said, 'Rs 7 lakh had been saved for their daughter's wedding, and Rs 4 lakh for medical treatment. The husband was held hostage while all the money and gold jewellery in the house were looted. They were asked, 'Do you want your husband or your money?' Their entire home was then set on fire. This is the real picture of Murshidabad.'

On April 11, violence reportedly began in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district during a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protest escalated, leading to the killing of two people, injuries to several others, and property damage, forcing thousands to leave their homes for safer places.

The protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act spread across other districts, including Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, and involved incidents of arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades.

Following the violence, several families fled their homes. Many have migrated to the Pakur district in Jharkhand, while others are staying in relief camps set up in Malda.

Meanwhile, days after the violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday issued a public appeal urging citizens to maintain peace and unity. She accused the BJP and its affiliates, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), of exploiting the incident to incite unrest for political gain.

In an open letter, Chief Minister Banerjee alleged that certain groups were 'using the backdrop of an unfortunate incident' to promote a divisive agenda. (ANI)