Firhad Hakim, others hold peace march in protest

Kolkata: Firhad Hakim, state Urban Development minister on Saturday led a peace march at Kaliachowk in Malda condemning the brutal killing of Mohammad Afrajul Khan in the name of "Love Jihad" in Rajasthan earlier this week.

Earlier, Hakim along with senior party leaders including Saugata Roy, Sudip Bandyopadhyay, Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury and Sabitri Mitra went to the house of the victim. Hakim assured all possible assistance to the family by the state government.

The state government will give Rs 3 lakh to the family and one of its members will be given a job too. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asked the team to meet the family members of the victim.

Attacking the BJP, Hakim said it was spreading hate politics throughout the country. "The BJP believes only in divisive politics. Such incidents are taking places in the states where the party is in power. He urged the villagers not to panic since more people from the area are still working in Rajasthan. He demanded exemplary punishment of the accused.

Earlier, a peace march was organised in which over one thousand Trinamool Congress workers took part. The rally walked through important areas of Kaliachowk.

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday organised protest rallies and meetings in all the 341 blocks in Bengal to condemn the brutal killing.

On Friday, a candlelight march was held in Kolkata which was led by party's MP Abhishek Banerjee.

Suvendu Adhikari, state Transport minister, has urged people to "maintain cool and not to get swayed by rumours." He was addressing a gathering in East Midnapore. He said: "The BJP is trying to divide society in the name of caste and religion. But we should remain vigilant and should not be carried away by rumours."

Meanwhile, state Director General of Police (DG) Surajit Kar Purkayastha called up his counterpart in Rajasthan on Saturday and urged him to ensure security of those who are working there. According to Nabanna sources, as many as 3,500 people from Bengal are working in Rajasthan.