Bengal:8 killed as mob sets houses afire,

In West Bengal, 8 people were killed in Birbhum district after around a dozen houses were set on fire on Tuesday to allegedly exact revenge over the murder of a political leader. Soon after the incident,  Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar strongly condemned the violence saying human rights have been "decimated" and rule of law has "capsised". Offering condolence to the families of those who lost their lives, the Governor said that the state is in a "grip of violence culture and lawlessness".

Horrifying violence and arson orgy #Rampurhat #Birbhum indicates state is in grip of violence culture and lawlessness. Already eight lives lost.

Have sought urgent update on the incident from Chief Secretary.

My thoughts are with the families of the bereaved. pic.twitter.com/vtI6tRJcBX

— Governor West Bengal Jagdeep Dhankhar (@jdhankhar1) March 22, 2022

The burnt bodies of 8 people were found in the morning after houses were set on fire at a village in Birbhum in protests over the alleged murder  of a Trinamool Congress leader. Director-General of Police (DGP)  Manoj Malviya informed that 11 arrests have been made in the case so far. The death figures given earlier were not correct. A total of eight people have died, Malviya said. The Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) and Circle Inspector (IC) of Rampurhat have been removed and a special investigation team has been formed to investigate the matter, the DGP has said.

BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, in a series of tweets, urged central intervention and alleged "terror and tension" in the area.

Law & order in a rapid freefall in WB.
Tension & terror has gripped Rampurhat area of Birbhum district, after a panchayat upoprodhan (deputy chief); Bhadu Sheik was reportedly killed last evening in a bomb attack.
Angry mob ransacked and set afire several houses afterwards.

— Suvendu Adhikari • শুভেন্দু অধিকারী (@SuvenduWB) March 22, 2022

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising Additional Director General (ADG) CID Gyanwant Singh, ADG Western Zone Sanjay Singh and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CID (Ops) Meeraj Khalid has been constituted to investigate the case.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the Governor of making "unwarranted statements", Ms Banerjee, in a letter, wrote, "Your statements have political overtones supporting other political parties to browbeat the Bengal government". Ms Banerjee said his comments were highly unfortunate and unbecoming of a person holding such a dignified constitutional post. The matter had ripples in the state assembly, where BJP leaders demanded a statement from the Chief Minister in the house. Twenty-two BJP legislators staged a walkout.