Kolkata, 22 January (H.S.) : Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Mamata Banerjee government following violence at a Special Intensive Revision hearing centre in Itahar, located in North Dinajpur district.

Taking to social media, Adhikari alleged that the state administration had failed to provide adequate security to officials engaged in Special Intensive Revision duties, resulting in a breakdown of law and order. He claimed that the incident amounted to a direct violation of the Supreme Court’s directive mandating protection for electoral processes and officials.

Condemning the incident, the BJP leader said that a violent mob vandalised property and disrupted proceedings during the Special Intensive Revision hearing at Itahar High School under the Itahar block of Uttar Dinajpur district. He further alleged that a woman Assistant Electoral Registration Officer was attacked in broad daylight, which, according to him, exposed the complete collapse of law and order in the state.

According to reports, scenes of chaos unfolded at the hearing centre as a mob went on a rampage, damaging property and halting the proceedings. The protest was reportedly held against what demonstrators described as harassment of common people in the name of being called for Special Intensive Revision hearings.

Adhikari accused the police and the administration of remaining passive spectators while the violence took place. He alleged that the Mamata Banerjee government was shielding criminals and undermining democratic processes, thereby endangering the safety of election officials and voters.

The Leader of the Opposition also appealed to the Election Commission to take cognisance of the incident and intervene in the matter. He urged the Commission to initiate the strongest possible action against police and administrative officials who, he claimed, failed to perform their duties.

Similar protests over the Special Intensive Revision process have been reported earlier from different parts of the state, including the Block Development Office in Farakka, Murshidabad district.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh