Kolkata, 28 October (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari struck a combative tone regarding the state's law and order following the swearing-in ceremony of newly elected MLAs at the West Bengal Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. After newly elected BJP MLAs Sakharav Sarkar (Rejinagar) and Hasirani Rath (Nandigram) took their oaths, the Chief Minister launched scathing political attacks on the opposition while unequivocally clarifying his administration's stance on the two police encounters that occurred the previous day.

Addressing the gathering, Adhikari thanked the people of Nandigram, recalling how they had passionately urged him to forgo the Bhabanipur seat. Without naming former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he remarked that the leader who had lost to him twice could have had another opportunity to contest, but at nearly 75 years of age, it is better for her not to run and to take a rest instead.

Highlighting recent election results, the Chief Minister noted Debangshu Panda's massive victory in Falta by a margin of 1.09 lakh votes, where the opposition was completely decimated. In Nandigram, he pointed out, one candidate was effectively out of the race, while another managed a mere 6,000 votes, failing to even save the Rs 10,000 security deposit.

Emphasizing transparency and live broadcasting, he said that while oath-taking ceremonies used to happen behind closed doors, the public now demands to see their elected representatives take the oath.

Adhikari stated that the incidents of electoral violence routinely broadcast on television during the Trinamool Congress regime have now completely ceased. Citing the BJP's victory in the Rejinagar by-election, he asserted that the minority community's vote for the BJP has shattered the myth that the BJP is a communal party.

He mentioned that following the unfortunate death of a young girl named Jasmina during the election campaign, her family was provided with financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh post-election. Additionally, 70,000 women have benefited from the Annapurna scheme. Adhikari clarified that although he is a Hindu and wears a tilak, his governance is driven by necessity and merit, as evidenced by Sakharav Sarkar's victory in minority-dominated booths. In a veiled warning, he stated that the work done over the last six months is merely morning tea and biscuits, and the real breakfast is yet to come, urging people to watch how the government moves forward inclusively.

Regarding Ritabrata Banerjee's allegations of snatched documents, the Chief Minister stated that if an FIR is filed, the investigation will be handed over to the CID. Referring to the brutal murder of the son of Nandigram's newly elected MLA Hasirani Rath, he noted that seven people have been arrested. However, he emphasized that it is yet to be determined who paid the Rs 2 crore contract for the murder, and whether the money originated from Kalighat or Camac Street.

Taking the Law Into One's Own Hands Will Have Consequences

Returning from Delhi, the Chief Minister also delivered a stern message regarding the two separate police encounters on Tuesday, the death of a rape, murder accused in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas, and a BJP leader's murder accused in Dhuliyan, Murshidabad. He made it clear that if anyone takes the law into their own hands or attacks the police, the force cannot stand by as mute spectators. He asserted that the rule of law has now been truly established in the state.

These incidents mark the third police encounter in the last three months, with police maintaining in every case that the accused either attacked investigators or attempted to flee.

The Chief Minister announced that the state police have been given a free hand to take action in two specific areas: the anti-drug campaign and preventing crimes against women. He assured police officers that if they face any difficulties while taking situational action in these cases, he, as the Home Minister, will personally act as their shield. Reaffirming his commitment to making West Bengal goon-free, he warned criminals that with the BJP in power in most states across the country, there is no place left to hide, and strict action will be taken against them according to the law.

Finally, the Chief Minister clarified his stance on the Chorbagan tragedy. He stated that the government has no hesitation in acknowledging the incident and welcomes any constructive suggestions to prevent such tragedies in the future. However, he issued a severe warning that the administration will take strict action against the misleading and false propaganda circulating on social media regarding the death toll in the Chorbagan incident, adding that those spreading rumors will not be spared.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh