Attack on Bengal minister a conspiracy: Mamata Banerjee

Banerjee went to the SSKM hospital to inquire after his condition following Wednesday's incident

A day after the alleged bomb attack on Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and Minister of State (Labour) Jakir Hossain, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the attack was part of a conspiracy as he was being pressurised by some people to join another party.

Hossain suffered serious injuries on his legs and hands in a sudden explosion when he was entering the rail station in Murshidabad district to board a train to Kolkata late on Wednesday night. He is currently admitted at the Government run SSKM Hospital in Kolkata.

"It was a pre planned conspiracy. Some people were pressuring him to join their party for the last couple of months. I will not divulge any further information as the investigation is going on," said Mamata.

The TMC supremo slammed the Railways for their "irresponsible way of functioning" and asked how they can dodge their responsibility in a case of such "security lapse."

"The attack took place inside the Railway station. Then how can the Railways dodge their responsibility in a case of such serious security lapse. There was no light at the station at that time. No security personnel were at the station when the attack took place. What was the RPF doing?" said Mamata.

She also said that the Railway Station was not under the State Government's jurisdiction and was property of the Railways.

"Railway stations are not under our jurisdiction. The Railway police is in charge of their security," said Mamata.

The Chief MInister said that CID, the State's Special Task Force (STF) and the Counter Insurgency Force (CIF) were jointly investigating the case. She said that 26 persons were injured in the blast and announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh for those who sustained serious injuries in the blast and Rs. 1 lakh for those with minor injuries.