Rajya Sabha: Roopa Ganguly raises the issue of Birbhum massacre, demands President's rule

" Only eight persons have died. But the issue is they were burnt alive. Earlier Bhadu Seikh was killed and then this mass killing took place. People are fleeing their homes. We want President's rule," said Roopa Ganguly.

New Delhi: BJP MP Roopa Ganguly on Friday in Rajya Sabha demanded President's rule in West Bengal over the incident of eight persons being burnt to death in the State's Birbhum district. The actor-turned-politician broke down while raising the issue in the Upper House. " Only eight persons have died. But the issue is they were burnt alive. Earlier Bhadu Seikh was killed and then this mass killing took place. People are fleeing their homes. We want President's rule in Bengal," said Ganguly.

Her attack on the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress Government in West Bengal resulted in retaliation by TMC MPs who raised slogans against the BJP Government at the Centre. BJP MPs from Bengal responded by raising slogans against the TMC government. Despite repeated requests by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh the sloganeering continued. Amid the ruckus, the proceedings of the House was adjourned for 10 minutes till 12.10 pm.

Earlier Ganguly issued a Zero Hour notice regarding the incident where eight persons were burnt to death after a mob locked them inside a house and set it ablaze. The incident took place following the murder of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Bhadu Sheikh. The Calcutta High Court during the day ordered a CBI investigation in the incident adding that a report has to be submitted by April 7. It also instructed the SIT to stop probing the case.

"...We are of the opinion that facts and circumstances of the case demand that in the interest of justice and to instill confidence in the society and to have a fair investigation to dig out the truth it is necessary to hand over the investigation to the CBI. Accordingly, we direct the State Government to forthwith hand over the investigation of the case to CBI. We also direct the State authorities to extend full cooperation to CBI in carrying out the further investigation", stated the Calcutta High Court.