Mamata announces ₹3 lakh for family of West Bengal man killed in Rajasthan

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday announced a solatium of ₹3 lakh for the family of Afrajul Khan, 50, a migrant worker from Malda district, who was killed in Rajasamand, Rajasthan. She also announced a job for one of his family members.

In a tweet, Ms. Banerjee described the incident as a “very sad” one. “Afrajul Khan of Malda of our state was brutally killed. His family is totally helpless. As a small help to the bereaved family, our government has decided to provide Rs 3 lakh to the family and also one job to the eligible person of the victim’s family,” she said.

“Other help from the government will also be provided. I am sending our team of Ministers and MPs to visit the family,” she said.

A video shows Khan lying on the ground and pleading in Bengali to a man in a red T-shirt to let him go. The man, allegedly one Shambhu Lal Raigar, is seen attacking Khan with an axe and setting him on fire. Later, the man goes on to claim that he will punish all those engaged in “love jihad.” Raigar was arrested later.

Many civil society groups organised rallies in Kolkata on Friday to protest the killing of Khan. CPI (M-L) and Young Bengal, a breakaway group of the CPI(M), also held rallies in the city.