Home Ministry issues stark warning to ‘Didi’ over post result violence in state within hours of being sworn in

Mamata Banerjee, fondly known as ‘Didi’ took oath as West Bengal’s Chief Minister for straight third term on May 5, 2021. The ceremony was celebrated by all supporters of TMC (Trinamool Congress) after a decisive win against BJP that campaigned fiercely in the state to win it over. The ceremony was also against backdrop of aggressive violence and killing of many BJP supporters and contestants across Bengal – something strongly condemned by the Centre and Left. Hours after Mamata Banerjee was sworn in as CM by Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued another letter to state government with stark warning. The letter asked for reason as to why the West Bengal’s government had failed to respond with reports of ongoing violence after poll results were announced and why no action was taken yet. 

“I remind you that no report has been submitted despite my asking for details on post-poll violence on May 3rd. Non-compliance of this second letter would be taken seriously,” wrote Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla in his second letter, two days after first letter was dispatched to the state government. 

He also asked West Bengal’s Chief Secretary that why no adequate measures had been taken by the government to address and stop the violence. “There are fresh reports which suggest that post-poll violence has not stopped. Immediate measures should be taken to stop violence and report regarding the same should be sent immediately,” he wrote.

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A four member team of Home Ministry, headed by Additional Secretary has been sent to West Bengal to assess the ground situation. 

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) also took note of the situation on Wednesday. A team headed by Deputy Inspector General (Investigation) of the human rights body has been constituted and instructed to conduct ‘on the spot fact finding investigation’ and submit report within two weeks. “Considering as a fit case of an alleged violation of Right to Life of the innocent citizens, the Commission has today taken suo-moto cognizance of the matter and has requested its DIG (Investigation) to constitute a team of the officers of the Investigation Division of the Commission to conduct an on the spot fact-finding investigation and to submit a report at the earliest, preferably within two weeks,” the NHRC said.

TMC leaders have rejected all allegations of violence being led by party members. It has urged people to follow all Covid-19 protocols and maintain peace.