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Mamata Banerjee, who is embroiled in a political battle after eight people were burned alive by a mob in a village in Bengal's Birbhum, is visiting the area today. The opposition BJP has accused the Chief Minister of presiding over a catastrophic breakdown of law and order in the state.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the killings "heinous" and said those involved should not be pardoned.

Eight people, including three women and two children, were trapped in their homes and burned alive by a mob in the village of Bogtui near Rampurhat town on Tuesday, in vengeance for the death of local Trinamool Congress leader Bhadu Sheikh in a crude bomb assault. A day later, charred bodies were discovered, largely belonging to one family.

According to sources, Mamata Banerjee would meet with Bhadu Sheikh's family.

She promised strong measures "regardless of political colours" on Wednesday.

A special investigation team has been formed by the state government, and 20 people have been arrested. The BJP, on the other hand, has requested a central probe, the removal of the Chief Minister, and the imposition of President's Rule.

The Calcutta High Court intervened yesterday, saying that not enough was being done to apprehend the attackers, and ordering the state government to safeguard witnesses and install CCTV cameras at the scene. The state government was also ordered to provide a report on the incident by 2 p.m. today, according to the court.

Several police officers are stationed at a village on the outskirts of Rampurhat, where many locals have left for fear of retaliation or detention. The ten homes that were set on fire have been abandoned.

Following the assassination of Trinamool Panchayat deputy chief Bhadu Sheikh, the violence escalated. His sons, according to the news agency PTI, are among the suspects apprehended by the police.

Several political heavyweights, mostly from the BJP, have visited the area since Tuesday, along with a television crew.

PM Modi stated that his government would assist the state in whatever way possible in bringing the culprits to justice.

"I believe the state administration would make every effort to ensure that those who have committed such horrible crimes are brought to justice," Modi added.

"I would also urge Bengalis to never forgive those who perpetrate such crimes, as well as those who encourage such criminals. The federal government would provide the state government with whatever assistance it needed to guarantee that the criminals were apprehended "he stated

Mamata Banerjee, who has been targeted by the BJP, has said there is a plot to discredit her government.

"The BJP, the Left, and the Congress tried to discredit our government... Regardless of their (political) hue, all individuals culpable for the Birbhum event will face severe consequences "she stated

Ms Banerjee, who did not name anyone, claimed that the incident was staged because "they failed to incite a disturbance."

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who has had a tense relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during his tenure, claimed that the episode has embarrassed democracy and humanity.

In a letter to Ms Banerjee, Mr Dhankhar said the state government's actions had "political connotations" and were an attempt to protect the guilty.

"I cannot fiddle in Raj Bhavan and be a mute witness in the face of such horror," he wrote.

Ms Banerjee, stung by the Governor's accusations, said: "There is one 'Lat Saheb' (lordly person) sitting who is describing Bengal as the worst state and hurling abuses at the state government."