Failed state

• Sir - The article, "Fallen icon" (April 20), by Rudrangshu Mukherjee provides an accurate picture of the state of affairs in West Bengal at present. The police force has been rendered subservient to the ruling party, the Trinamul Congress. Officers of the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service are duty-bound to uphold the law; yet, they turn a blind eye to their responsibilities. They prefer to serve the party in power in order to get quicker promotions and better postings. As a result, ordinary citizens are denied justice. Mukherjee is right when he says that Bengal has been carefully transformed into a police raj. The appointment of a former police officer to helm the state's human rights commission illustrates this.

The failures of the state machinery have resulted in growing lawlessness. The TMC feels emboldened to intimidate hapless citizens. It is frightening to observe the growth of a lumpen culture in Bengal.

Yours faithfully,
P.N. Pal, Calcutta

• Sir - The truth is that none of the political parties in Bengal has a vision for the improvement of the state's education system. Education has rarely been considered an important subject to discuss before elections, and successive governments have treated Bengal's educational institutions as places to accomplish their political agendas. A few years ago, the chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, had accused a student of being a Maoist because the young girl had questioned her on the conduct of her ministers.

Like many students, I, too, am unwilling to continue my education in Bengal. Most people who graduate from colleges in Bengal intend to pursue further studies in other parts of the country. The state higher education department has not yet set up a centralized procedure for filling up admission forms for colleges.

It is unfortunate to note that the atmosphere of learning in Calcutta University has deteriorated drastically. To make matters worse, female students face threats from local goons. There has never been a more important time to talk about education in Bengal.

Yours faithfully,
Tejesh Vyas, Howrah

• Sir - In the article, "Fallen icon", Rudrangshu Mukherjee observes that Bengal has become a police state under the rule of Mamata Banerjee. However, it is important to remember that Bengal has been a police state for decades. People witnessed police and cadre-based violence even before Banerjee came to power. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Bengal, under Banerjee, has remained a police state. The chief minister has failed to bring about any positive change. Mukherjee says, "[s]he may win or lose the elections, but nothing will remove the stain she has spread on the honour of Bengal." But the Left's rule of 34 years had already ruined Bengal. Murder, rape, extortion and intimidation occurred with alarming regularity. Did the police ever act without the permission of local committees? Banerjee should have tried to improve the situation.

It is unfortunate for the chief minister that some of her key aides have been involved in corruption scandals, such as the Ponzi scheme run by the Saradha group. The recent Narada sting operation has succeeded in overshadowing her achievements. But it would be unwise for the people of Bengal to bring the Left back to power: it is responsible for the present condition of the state. The TMC should be given another term in office to redeem itself.

Yours faithfully,
Mihir Kanungo, Calcutta

 

• Sir - After the TMC came to power in 2011, an all-round improvement in the economic and the law and order situation in Bengal was expected. However, the chief minister belied expectations when she transferred the efficient and upright police officer, Damayanti Sen, after the latter confirmed that the rape of a woman on Park Street in 2012 had indeed occurred. Banerjee had earlier claimed that the incident was a " sajano ghotona". She maintained that accusations of rape were mere ploys to defame her government. Goons belonging to the TMC ransacked police stations with the tacit support of party leaders. The police force grew increasingly demoralized and fearful of the people in power. If matters remain as they are, Bengal will soon be on the brink of anarchy.

Yours faithfully,
A.S. Mehta, Calcutta
 

• Sir - Rudrangshu Mukherjee's article, "Fallen icon", is an important piece of writing. It is a pity that its message might not reach a large section of Bengal's rural population, which makes up the majority of the electorate in the state. One wishes that the article had also suggested ways in which citizens can effectively fight against a police raj at any point in time; the previous government was no better than the present one.

Yours faithfully,
Arun Sen, Calcutta
 

Parting shot

• Sir - The number of cars on city roads has increased exponentially because more and more people are buying cars. Trees have had to be cut down to widen roads. This has led to a decrease in rainfall. People are travelling in comfort, but at an enormous cost to the environment.

Yours faithfully,
K. Ravi, Bhubaneswar
 

FROM ODISHA

Only connect

• Sir - I have faced a number of problems with government helplines. Once my neighbour fell ill and we had to call an ambulance. I tried calling the helpline number at midnight but the call did not connect. In Nayapalli, where we stay, no transport was available at that hour. In the end, we had to call an app-based cab to take my friend to the hospital.

Yours faithfully,
Ananya Behera, Bhubaneswar
 

• Sir - The state government should take steps to make the helpline numbers operational. If the government cannot do this then it should stop the so-called service completely. In that case, it should make sure that the numbers do not appear on websites. Ordinary people feel confused when they find dysfunctional numbers on websites.

Yours faithfully,
Shantanu Mishra, Bhubaneswar
 

• Sir - It is high time the government came up with a centralized helpline number which people can dial any time for getting any kind of information. It is confusing to have several numbers at the same time. I am glad to know that the Odisha tourism and student helpline numbers are functional as these two are crucial. But it is important to make the anti-corruption helpline functional too to ensure transparency in administration.

Yours faithfully,
Namrata Maharana, Cuttack
 

• Sir - The police commissionerate of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar often makes tall claims that its Sakhi helpline for women facing any emergency is a great tool for ensuring women's security. But if it does not work most of the time then women cannot benefit from it. The state government must make sure that all helplines like Sakhi are functional so that they serve their purpose. If they are not working for any reason, the public should be informed about this. The people should be given an alternative number to dial in that case.

Yours faithfully,
Saumya Parida, Cuttack
 

• Sir - Helplines constitute a support system for existing facilities. The Sanjog helpline is a centralized service provider meant to field queries over the phone. Since it works well, one can depend on it. For an emergency, it is always advisable to ring up the police on 100. Everybody knows that when it comes to websites and helplines, those belonging to government bodies are often in need of an update. With the advent of concepts like the smart city, wi-fi connectivity is being accorded more prominence. But the helplines should also be in working order.

Yours faithfully,
Gajendra Patra, Bhubaneswar
 

FROM BIHAR

Lawless state

• Sir - Attention needs to be drawn towards the repeated acts of crime within the court premises of the state. Last year, there have been, at least, four such instances where criminals have attacked undertrial prisoners in front of police personnel. While all crimes deserve condemnation, those occurring within court premises are particularly worrisome. Such incidents reflect the growing confidence of criminals in society.

It is not only violence in court that is a matter of concern. In recent times, lawyers, policemen and witnesses have been murdered even outside the premises of the courts. On April 18, a sub-inspector was killed in Gaurakshini area of Patna district, when he was returning from a local court. The government should take steps before the situation goes out of control. In spite of several incidents of bomb blasts and firing, the government is yet to install door-frame metal detectors in most of the courts in the state.

Yours faithfully,
Krishna Singh, Patna
 

Sheer force

• Sir - Abdul Jalil Mastan, minister of excise and prohibition of Bihar, has threatened to seal and even auction people's houses, if liquor is found within the premises ("House seizure risk for tipplers", April 22). One cannot help but be amazed at the statement of the minister and his interpretation of law. Although, the Bihar Excise (amendment ) Act of 2016 gives state authorities the right to seal any premise if liquor is found, the law should ideally be used only against those traders who store large quantities of liquor in their houses. As such, the minister's exhortation that a house would be sealed even if a small quantity of liquor is recovered seems extreme.

The legislature should have anticipated that such a draconian law can easily be misused by the police. Instances of such misuse have already been brought to light. However, in most cases, it is the underprivileged class which has to bear the brunt of police brutality. The rich are hardly affected. What is even more alarming is the fact that the number of de-addiction centres in the state is scarcely adequate. According to reports, two people have died due to withdrawal effects of alcohol addiction. The government should have given liquor permits at least for those who are seriously addicted. The minister's statement goes to proves, once again, that in Bihar, the police enjoy unbridled power.

Yours faithfully,
Sunil Kumar, Patna