Kolkata, 22 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday reiterated his government's zero tolerance policy towards crimes against women, saying the police have been given full operational freedom to take immediate action without waiting for instructions in cases involving heinous offences.

Replying to the discussion on the Budget of the Home and Hill Affairs Department in the State Assembly, the Chief Minister said the safety and security of women remained the government's highest priority.

Adhikari said that in cases of rape, gang rape, sexual offences against minors, or any other heinous crime against women, the police need not wait for any specific directive from the government. He instructed law enforcement agencies to take the strictest possible action within the framework of the law, assuring them of the government's full support.

The Chief Minister also accused the previous Trinamool Congress government of failing to adequately address women's safety. He said his government had made the protection of women a top priority since assuming office and had adopted a policy of swift and stringent action against offenders.

Referring to the rape and murder of a minor in Baruipur, Adhikari said the prompt police response in the case reflected the working style of the present government. He also questioned why, in several cases under the previous administration, convicts sentenced to death by courts had not received timely punishment.

Speaking about the RG Kar Medical College case, the Chief Minister said the state government had reopened the case file and initiated fresh action. He stated that three senior IPS officers had been suspended and that action had also been taken against officials accused of suppressing the case file. He further alleged that the previous state government had offered Rs 10 lakh in financial assistance to the victim's family following the incident.

Adhikari said the government had already introduced the Durga Raksha Squad, established dedicated women's police stations, and launched special helplines to strengthen women's safety across the state. Reaffirming the government's commitment, he said there would be no leniency towards those accused of crimes against women and that strict legal action would be ensured in every such case.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh