Birbhum

Eight people were burnt to death in the Rampurhat area of West Bengal's Birbhum after a mob allegedly set houses on fire Monday night following the killing of Trinamool Congress leader Bahadur Shaikh.

Director-General of Police (DGP) West Bengal, Manoj Malviya said that 11 people have been arrested so far.

Addressing the media, Malviya clarified that the death figure of ten reported earlier was incorrect, and said,

"Today morning the bodies of seven people have been removed from the same house. Earlier ten people were said to have died. The death figures given earlier were not correct. A total of eight people have died."

He also said that Bahadur Shaikh's murder was reported last night, an hour after which 7-8 houses nearby had caught fire.

"11 people have been arrested in the case. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) there and Circle Inspector (IC) of Rampurhat have been removed," Malviya informed.

A special investigation team has been formed to probe the matter. 

The state unit of the BJP has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging his intervention and action on the "unabated post-poll violence and deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal."