Mamata says Cooch Behar violence was genocide, dubs MCC as Modi Code of Conduct

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday said that the deaths of four persons in firing by the Central forces in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district was “genocide”. She further alleged that instead of lobbing tear gas shells and baton charging the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) resorted to “bullet spraying” aiming at the torso and neck of the people.

“The incident at Sitaluchi is nothing but a genocide. The CISF resorted to bullet spraying on the people aiming for their torso and neck. They could have lobbed tear gas shells or baton-charged but instead opened fire resulting in the death of four persons.” said Mamata. She was speaking to reporters in Siliguri.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo claimed everything was peaceful at Sitalkuchi and there was no problem there. She also questioned the ability of the CISF in controlling mobs arguing that the force is not trained for controlling mobs but for guarding industrial areas.

“The CISF is not trained for controlling crowds. They are trained for protecting industrial areas. Since the first phase of the Assembly elections, I have been saying that the Central forces are committing atrocities against people. Even as I raised the issue in Nandigram but no one believed me,” said Mamata.

Lashing out at the Election Commission (EC) for barring the entry of politicians in Cooch Behar for 72 hours, Mamata alleged that the directive was an attempt to “suppress facts.”

“I will try to visit Sitalkuchi on April 14. The EC’s order of restricting entry into Cooch Behar is an attempt to suppress facts. Unfortunately, we have an incompetent Home Minister and an incompetent government at the Centre,” said Mamata.

Also read: EC bans visits of politicians to violence-hit Cooch Behar

“They (EC) are changing well-established rules for conducting elections in the interest of one political party. I have great respect for the Election Commission, but the recent incidents made me sad,” she said.

During the press conference, the Chief Minister spoke to the brother of one of the deceased who lost his life in the Sitalkuchi firing and assured all help to the family.

“He was standing in the queue when the Central forces suddenly opened fire. His wife is pregnant and they have a three-year-old child. Now they are facing an uncertain future,” he said.

Mamata said that the state government will provide aid to the families of the deceased subject to approval by the EC.

Speaking at a rally later in the day Mamata alleged that the Sitalkuchi incident was the “outcome of a conspiracy” by the BJP to scare voters.

“EC should rename MCC as Modi Code of Conduct! BJP can use all its might but NOTHING in this world can stop me from being with my people & sharing their pain. They can restrict me from visiting my brothers & sisters in Cooch Behar for 3 days but I WILL be there on the 4th day!” tweeted Mamata.

Accusing BJP of stopping her from visiting Cooch Behar, Mamata said that the BJP may stop her for 3 days "but I will be there on the 4th day!"