Conspiracy, plan to kill our minister Zakir Hossain, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday visited minister from her cabinet, Zakir Hossain, at the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where he is admitted, and said it was a planned attack on him and an attempt to kill him.

On Wednesday, Hossain was severely injured in an attack with bombs at Nimtita railway station in Murshidabad district at around 9.45 PM.

Banerjee, who visited Hossain at the hospital this morning, said that the incident was “horrific” – in which 26 persons including the minister had been injured. “Some have lost their legs, some have lost their hands, some have their faces burnt,” she said. Banerjee said that three state agencies – the Criminal Investigating Department (CID), Special Task Force (STF) and the Counter Intelligence Force (CIF) had been asked to investigate the matter. “From what I have heard from the persons present when the incident took place, it seems a remote control was used to trigger the blast. However, let the investigation take place and the truth should come out,” she said.

She said that Hossain was in a critical condition, and what is taking place in the state “is hooliganism. It is targeting him… what is the need to kill a leader?” she asked.

Banerjee said that the Railways Ministry has taken the matter very casually, adding that “it is totally the Central government’s responsibility”. The CM added that the station was dark around the time and no railway police personnel were present where the blast took place.

She announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the seriously injured, and Rs 1 lakh for those who suffered minor injuries. She added that the state government would ensure that those who have lost limbs can have artificial limbs fitted, so they can get back to earning a livelihood. “Zakir is a popular leader, and when he travels there are many people with him, so it may not have been easy to shoot him, perhaps that’s why this plan,” Banerjee said.