Kolkata, May 8: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Saturday summoned state Chief Secretary to “comprehensively” apprise him on law and order regarding post-poll violence.
Taking to his tweeter handle, Mr Dhankhar said, “Chief Secretary @MamataOfficialhas been called upon to see me today before 7 PM as ACS Home @HomeBengal failed to impart status report on law and order regarding post poll violence. He even did not forward reports of DGP @WBPolice and CP @KolkataPolice sent to him on May 3.
The governor said the State is facing worst post election violence where people are being made to pay with their lives and freedom only for having exercised right to vote in democracy and state apparatus has virtually abandoned lawful obligations. No input to the constitutional head makes mockery of constitution and rule of law.
“While State faces worst post election violence- people being made to pay with their lives and freedom only for having exercised right to vote in democracy, Chief Secretary@MamataOfficial comes up with alibi for not briefing Governor. Directed him to comply by 7 PM today,” he said.
Mr Dhankhar said CS stance is shocking to reflect the least and unexpected of a member of service to which he belongs
“CS stance is shocking and least unexpected from a senior member @IASassociation
. The ‘Steel Frame’ that governance distanced from Constitutional prescriptions and rule of law imperils democracy,” he said.
Mr Dhankhar said CS be directed to comply and desist from unconstitutional and undemocratic stand.
The governor said, “There can be no sane takers for the response of CS (as conveyed to ACS to Governor) that since the matter is before HC it will be inappropriate for CS to brief the Governor. As per CS the stand is as per CM directive.”
“Non responsive and defiant conduct of ACS Home HS Dwivedi to my directive to impart a status report on law and order and the steps taken to contain horrifying post poll violence cannot be countenanced,” Mr Dhankhar said.
“His sitting on reports of DGP and CP Kolkata and not forwarding the same to me is too serious dereliction of duty to be overlooked. This is aggravating given the worrisome and alarming situation in state as a consequence of post poll retributive violence,” he said.
Several incidents of violence that allegedly left many BJP workers dead and injured have been reported in West Bengal since the results for the 292-member state Assembly were announced.
At least six people were killed in the violence in different parts of the state, according to police.
Meanwhile, a four-member MHA team led by Govind Mohan, IAS, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Home Affairs, on Friday called on State Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar at Raj Bhawan here to assess reports of widespread post-poll violence in the state.
The members of the team held a meeting with senior officials of the State government at the State Secretariat ‘Nabanna Buildings’
Earlier, Earlier, MHA has sought a detailed report on the violence by the Bengal administration and cited that they have not received any update yet.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has alleged that TMC-backed goons have killed a number of its workers, attacked its women members, vandalised houses, looted shops of its members, and ransacked its offices.
Claiming that at least 14 BJP workers were killed and nearly one lakh people fled their homes in post-poll violence in West Bengal, party president J P Nadda alleged on Wednesday that the chief minister’s silence speaks of her involvement.
However, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the charges, saying violence and clashes were taking place in those areas where the BJP candidates emerged victorious in the election.
She had asked people on Sunday to show restraint and not indulge in any kind of violence.
Ms Banerjee on Thursday accused some Union ministers of trying to instigate riots in the state after the BJP’s defeat in the Assembly election on the pretext of visiting saffron party workers injured in the post-poll violence.
She also asked the BJP not to create unrest and accept the fact that it had lost the election. Speaking at Nabanna, the state secretariat, she said, “Political rallies have been banned due to the Covid-19 pandemic here, so I don’t know why some Central ministers are unnecessarily visiting villages and trying to provoke riots.”
“I request them not to worsen the situation through their provocation. I ask the BJP to show restraint, accept the mandate. This is happening as they haven’t been able to accept the people’s verdict,” the chief minister added.
Taking cognizance of the situation, Ms Banerjee on Wednesday transferred 30 top officers, including DGP P Nirajnayan, in her first action after being sworn in again as Chief Minister, warning that violence of any kind will not be tolerated.
