Didi announces job, ₹3L for victim’s kin
MALDA: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced ₹3 lakh compensation and a government job to the family of Mohammed Afrazul, a migrant labourer from the state who was killed in Rajasthan.
Afrazul was hacked to death and his body set on fire in Rajasthan’s Rajsamand district by a man who warned ‘jihadis’ of similar treatment. The entire act was filmed by the man’s minor nephew and uploaded on social media. Accused Shambu Lal Regar was arrested and a court on Friday remanded him in three days police custody. His nephew has been sent to a juvenile home.
“Very sad incident happened in Rajasthan. Afrajul Khan of Malda of our state was brutally killed. His family is totally helpless. As a small help to the bereaved family, our government has decided to provide ₹3 lakh to the family,” Banerjee tweeted.
“Also one job to an eligible person of the victim’s family. Other help from the government will also be provided. I am sending our team of Ministers and MPS to visit the family,” she added.
State transport minister Subhendu Adhikari and urban development minister Firhad Hakim, accompanied by party MPS Saugata Ray, Sudip Bandyapadhyay, and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, will visit Afrazul’s house at Malda district on Saturday. Banerjee also spoke to the family over phone.
At least three protest rallies were taken out in Kolkata — one of them in front of the Rajasthan Bhawan in Alipore. A rally was held from Jadavpur to Park Circus and another was organised at Hedua in north Kolkata.
The family members of the victim, meanwhile, trashed the ‘love jihad’ angle to the incident. The deceased’s relative Gaji Azizul said Afrazul was staying in Rajasthan for about 20 years. “He stayed in a rented house with his two sons-in-law and used to take up construction work. Afrazul used to leave the house with his sons-in-law and returned with them. Never did anyone tell us that he was seen with any woman. The ‘love jihad’ angle is bunkum,” he added.
“Today, district magistrate, SP and some other officers visited our house and informed us of the steps the CM has taken. We are happy with that. Now we want the government to ensure speedy trial of case” said Rezina Khatun, one of Afrazul’s daughters.