Kolkata, April 11 Attacking the BJP over the death of a BSF constable from Malda in Manipur, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday said those who want a change in Bengal should first "turn their gaze" towards the Northeastern state.
BSF Constable Mithun Mandal was shot dead on Friday while on patrol duty in Manipur's Ukhrul district. He was struck by a "bullet fired from an unknown direction around 4.30 pm", officials said.
Mandal, who hailed from Bhagjan Tola village in Malda, was taken to a hospital in Imphal, where he died around 6 pm, they said.
"A brave Bengali BSF Jawan from Malda, serving in the 170 Battalion posted in Ukhrul district of Manipur, was martyred in militant firing. He has left behind his wife and children. Those who lecture Bengal about “CHANGE” should first turn their gaze towards Manipur," the Diamond Harbour MP said in a social media post.
"The Prime Minister and his Home Minister have all the time in the world to campaign in Bengal, but not a single minute to visit Manipur and bring a lasting solution to the ethnic violence that has been raging for three long years. Nearly 300 people have been killed. Tens of thousands have been displaced and injured," he added.
Banerjee, the national general secretary of the party, said that before seeking a change in government in Bengal, PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should do "something meaningful for the hapless people" of the Northeastern state.
West Bengal will vote in the assembly elections in two phases, on April 23 and 29. The votes will be counted on May 4.