Birbhum violence: Kolkata HC takes suo moto cognizance; forensic team sent to probe fire

The Kolkata High Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the Bhirbhum violence. The matter will be heard by a two-judge bench of Chief Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Justice Rajarshi Bharadwaj.

The incident left eight, including two children, dead in a suspected fallout of the murder of a ruling TMC panchayat official.

A forensic team is going to examine the burnt houses to find out the 'nature of the mishap'.

While the West Bengal government has set up an Special Investigation Team to look into the matter, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, "Not justifying Birbhum killings, but such incidents are more frequent in UP, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan."

A 9-member delegation of BJP MPs including the party's national vice president Dilip Ghosh, along with others are visiting the venue, apart from a CPIM delegation. The Union home ministry has sought a detailed report from the state government.

At least 20 have been arrested in the matter so far.

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