District authorities have prevented a ‘fact-finding’ team, belonging to BJP, from entering into violence-hit Kaliachak in Malda district. MPs Ram Vilas Vedanti, Bhupendra Yadav and the lone BJP MP from West Bengal, S.S. Ahluwalia, disembarked at Malda Town station at approximately 6 AM. The police as well as district administration have reportedly asked the MPs to turn away due to because of prohibitory orders being promulgated in Kaliachak.

Mr. Yadav said, “This act of West Bengal government is condemnable.” The MPs stayed in the station in the VIP lounge for approximately three long hours, discussing the issue with senior district officials. The MPs were forced by the officials to return by Howrah-bound Shatabdi Express.

Mr. Ahluwalia said, “The purpose of the visit was to console the people, to restore their confidence that something like this will not happen in future. Due to pressure from the State Government, the district administration said that we cannot go there as Section 144 CrPC has been imposed. We are not here to incite or instigate anyone. We are law-abiding citizens and senior MPs but the officials said that that we are public figures and our appearance will create problems....the normalcy they have achieved will break down.”

On 6 January 2016, Shamik Bhattacharya-led BJP delegation was even stopped from visiting Kaliachak village. Mr Bhattacharya is the lone MLA in West Bengal Assembly.

Saying that there is no communal tension in the area, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the incident as a fallout of an issue between the local people as well as the BSF. Several policemen have been transferred from Kaliachak police station following the incident.

-Sumana