TMC team visits Afrajul’s family, gives Rs 2 lakhs relief

Kolkata: A Trinamul Congress delegation led by senior party MP Sougata Roy on Saturday met the family members of slain labourer Afrajul Khan in Malda and handed over Rs 2 lakhs as a compensation.

Dr Roy and two other TMC Lok Sabha MPs Sudip Bandopadhyay and Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar along with two other ministers — Firhad Hakim and Shubhendu Adhikary went to Afrajul’s house at Saiyadpur village.

They spoke to his wife Gulbahar and their three daughters.

Mr Bandopadhyay informed that Afrajul’s family members have been shattered following his brutal killing.

He added that the party would protest against the killing at the highest level while demanding for exemplary punishment for the accused.

Mr Bandopadhyay indicated that a discussion on the demand of a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) would soon be held within the party.

Mr Adhikary, the transport minister, said, “A financial assistance of Rs 2 lakhs was handed over to Afrajul’s family. It will also get `3 lakhs from the state government. Afrajul’s wife will be given widow allowance. Besides what facilities else can be provided are also looked into.”

Mr Hakim said, “The people of the country do not have faith in those who created such an environment of fear. An attempt is underway to spread a wrong message over the incident.”

The urban development minister added, “It is a battle between humanity and inhumanity. Our state has innumerable skilled labourers. They display their skills across the country. If the workers of our states do not go to others, it will be their loss.” He also took part in a TMC rally to protest the murder.

State Congress president Adhir Chowdhury and the party's Rajya Sabha member Pradip Bhattacherjee also met Afrazul’s family and assured them all assistance. Congress leader Pradip Bhattacharya also visited Afrajul’s family.