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regular-article-logo Friday, 24 May 2024

Bengal Governor shoots another letter to Mamata, slams her for diversionary tactics'

NCW asks WB police chief to intervene, take stringent action

Our Bureau, PTI Calcutta Published 23.03.22, 02:07 PM
Jagdeep Dhankhar and Mamata Banerjee

Jagdeep Dhankhar and Mamata Banerjee File picture

Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Wednesday fired fresh salvos at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over the Birbhum killings as he shot off yet another letter to her, claiming that the state government's actions in the matter smack of "political overtones" and an attempt to shield the guilty.

Eight people were charred to death as their houses were set on fire in Bogtui village near Rampurhat town of Birbhum district early on Tuesday. The incident is suspected to be the fallout of ruling TMC panchayat officials murder.

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Dhankhar had on Tuesday described the death of eight people at Rampurhat as "horrific" and claimed that the state was in the grip of a culture of "violence and lawlessness", drawing a sharp reaction from Banerjee, who said that his comments were "uncalled for".

Dhankhar, in his three-page reply to Banerjee on Wednesday, said the CM has adopted an "accusatory stance" at his "restrained reaction" to the incident.

"As usual, you have taken an accusatory stance at my restrained reaction to grisly carnage worst in the memory at Rampurhat...The shocking carnage is being justifiably compared by many to the incidents in the state, a few years ago, while you were in the opposition.

"Adopting diversionary tactics, you have labelled my reaction as a sweeping and uncalled for statement. In the face of such enormity, I cannot fiddle in Raj Bhavan and be a mute spectator," he wrote.

Calling for introspection, the governor also said "nothing can be more farcical" than the claim that the state had always been peaceful, barring a few incidents.

"Introspection would reveal that actions at your (Banerjee's) end and not mind are dictated by political overtones.

"Special Investigation Team (SIT) is being taken as a cover-up operation to provide an escape route to rogue elements. Politically caged investigation in the state inspires no confidence," he added.

Birbhum violence: NCW asks WB police chief to intervene, take stringent action

The National Commission of Women has asked the West Bengal police chief to intervene and take stringent action in the Birbhum violence case in which eight people, including women and children, were charred to death following the killing of a TMC leader.

The NCW also asked the DGP to inform it within 24 hours about the action taken in the matter.

In a letter to Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Malaviya, the NCW expressed concern over the incident and said it has taken serious note of the lapse on the part of the authorities to take adequate safety measures for the women in those areas.

Eight people, including two children, were killed in the early hours of Tuesday after their houses were gutted in a fire at Rampurhat in Birbhum, police said.

The incident took place hours after the killing of a TMC panchayat leader on Monday. The BJP alleged that the houses were set ablaze by the goons" affiliated with the ruling Trinamool Congress as an act of revenge.

"The National Commission for Women is deeply disturbed by the brutality meted out to people including women reported from the state of West Bengal. Keeping in view that women and children are most vulnerable in such crisis times it becomes extremely pivotal that safety and security of women is ensured," the commission said.

The commission said considering the gravity of the matter the state's Director General of Police is required to personally intervene in the matter and take stringent action against the culprits and arrest them immediately.

The action taken in the matter must be intimated to the Commission within 24 hours, the NCW said.

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