West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Empowers Police to Investigate Post-Poll Violence

| 12 July 2023

In response to the violent incidents that marred the recently concluded state panchayat elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Wednesday that she has given the state police a free hand to probe and identify the perpetrators behind the unrest. Speaking at a media briefing, Banerjee expressed her concern over the rising death toll, with 19 individuals, predominantly affiliated with her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), losing their lives in poll-related violence since the announcement of the elections.

Banerjee addressed the issue head-on, stating, "I am giving the police a free hand to take action against those responsible for the rural poll violence. The 19 people who have tragically lost their lives will be provided compensation of Rs 2 lakhs each and offered special home guard positions. These individuals include 10 members from the TMC. We will not differentiate based on party affiliation; instead, all victims will receive compensation and job opportunities from the government."

The Chief Minister asserted that incidents of violence were limited to approximately 60 out of the 71,000 polling booths where rural elections were held. She took the opportunity to express her gratitude to the people after her party's resounding victory in the panchayat polls, remarking, "I want to thank all those who opposed us. By criticizing us, they have inadvertently aided our cause."

Banerjee also addressed the challenges her party faced during the election campaign, alleging that they were subjected to substantial "false propaganda" prior to the polls. Drawing from her personal experiences, she emphasized, "When I was in the Opposition, I faced physical attacks. Now that the BJP is in power, they have taken false propaganda to unprecedented heights. Why is there so much animosity towards me? Is it because I come from a humble background? Is it because I advocate for unity?"

Taking a swipe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Banerjee criticized their decision to send a fact-finding team to West Bengal to investigate the incidents of violence. She questioned their intentions by highlighting other troubled regions, stating, "Where was the fact-finding team when Manipur and Assam were engulfed in turmoil? How many commissions visited those places? Within the span of two years, nearly 154 teams have visited West Bengal. These are not fact-finding committees; they are BJP provocation committees. It is unfortunate that so many lives were lost during the panchayat polls. They are victims of circumstances. I have instructed the police to take appropriate action."

The Chief Minister did not spare the Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), holding them equally accountable for the violence. Disavowing any support for such acts, Banerjee firmly stated, "I do not endorse violence. I do not engage in politics of hatred and violence. I regret to say that Ram, Shyam, and Bam collectively conspired to mar the elections using violence."

Banerjee's proactive stance in allowing the state police to investigate the violence demonstrates her commitment to upholding law and order in West Bengal. As the investigations unfold, the hope is that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, ensuring a safer and more peaceful political landscape in the state.