Mamata plays down violent incidents in Sandeshkhali

Kolkata: The Mamata Banerjee government has downplayed the bloodbath, which claimed six lives reportedly during a violent clash between Trinamul Congress and BJP workers at Sandeshkhali in Basirhat of North 24 Parganas, in its reply to the Union home ministry which had sought a report from the state government while issuing advisories.

It has also rubbished the BJP’s allegation of deterioration in law and order situation in the state.

State chief secretary Malay De wrote to the Union home secretary, "...while there have been a stray post-poll clashes in the state perpetrated by some anti-social elements, the law enforcement authorities have been taking firm and appropriate actions in all such cases without any delay.”

He elaborated, “In the instant case under Nazat police station in the district of North 24 Parganas too, police case has been registered and investigation initiated.”

Two separate FIRs on murder and several other charges have been initiated by the police in the violent clash at Sandeshkhali. While one was filed following a complaint by slain Trinamul worker: Qayyum Ali’s family, the second one was started following a complaint by two slain BJP workers: Pradip Mondal and Sukanta Mondal’s family.

Meanwhile, chief minister Mamata Banerjee warned a section of cops at the officer-in-charge (OC) and sub-inspector (SI) ranks of action following allegations against them by the Trinamul Congress ministers of refusal of complaints. She also instructed state director general of police Virendra to take steps in this regard.

Ms Banerjee chaired a review meeting at Nabanna, the state secretariat, where Kolkata mayor and urban development minister Firhad Hakim, transport minister Suvendu Adhikari and food supplies minister Jyotipriyo Mullick and other ministers expressed their grievances about  the police personnel to her, according to sources.