Mamata Banerjee Pledges Refuge For Violence-Hit Bangladeshis At Martyrs' Day Rally

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Sunday that the Trinamool Congress-led state government would offer shelter to people fleeing violence in Bangladesh if they seek refuge in Bengal.

"I cannot speak on behalf of Bangladesh, as it is another country. The Indian government will address that. But if helpless people from Bangladesh come to Bengal seeking shelter, we will provide it. There is a UN resolution that neighbours will respect refugees," Mamata Banerjee said, as reported by India Today.

Photo Credit: PTI

Mamata Offers Refuge To Bangladeshis

The Trinamool Congress leader was speaking at a large 'Martyrs' Day' rally of the Trinamool Congress in Kolkata, despite heavy rain.

"I assure full cooperation to Bengal residents whose relatives are stuck in violence-hit Bangladesh," she added, as reported by India Today.

Bangladesh authorities have imposed a strict curfew nationwide, with military personnel patrolling parts of the capital, Dhaka. This follows violent clashes over government job allocations that have left more than 40 people dead and hundreds injured. Mamata Banerjee also praised Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, who attended the rally, for his party's performance in the Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh.

"The government at the Centre won't last long. This is not a stable government and it will collapse soon," she stated.

"The 'Khel' (game) you played in UP should have forced the BJP government in UP to resign, but the shameless government continues in power by misusing agencies and other means," the Trinamool Congress chief added.

At the rally, Akhilesh Yadav commented, "The people of Bengal have fought against the BJP and left them behind, the same happened in Uttar Pradesh... The current government in Delhi will not last much longer. 'Woh sarkaar chalne wali nahi hai, woh sarkaar girne wali hai' (that government is not going to last many days, it will fall soon)."