Bengal violence : PM Narendra Modi calls for strict action by the state

New Delhi : In reference to the violence that led to the deaths of eight people and sparked an enormous political storm, he said; "I hope the state government takes strict action against the culprits, and those who encourage such criminals should not be forgiven too."

An inquiry has been requested by the Union Home Ministry into the deaths, which are being blamed by the state BJP on Trinamool Congress retaliation after one of its local leaders was killed.

There will also be a BJP team sent to the region for fact-finding.

Bengal BJP officials have asked for President's Rule in the state, claiming that the murders are just the latest in a long line of political violence in the state.

The fire started in Bogtui village on Tuesday night in the outskirts of Rampurhat city when a mob set several houses ablaze.

Seven of the bodies were found charred inside a house, including two children; an eighth person died on the way to the hospital.

Outrage has been sparked by photographs of charred bodies recovered from the damaged house.

Social media was filled with criticism of the Mamata Banerjee government which won a landslide victory last year in the face of a powerful campaign led by PM Modi and key leaders.

"Fair action" will be taken by the government according to Ms Banerjee.

"Such kinds of incidents have happened in Gujarat and Rajasthan too," she said today, adding that she was "not justifying the incident in Rampurhat".

"The government is ours. We are concerned about people in our state. We would never want anyone to suffer... I have immediately dismissed the OC, SDPO (officer in-charge, sub-divisional police officer) of Rampurhat. I will go to Rampurhat tomorrow," CM added.