With seven local-level Trinamool Congress leaders killed in West Bengal over the past three weeks, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has once again delivered a sharp message on the state’s law and order situation. At a high-level meeting in Nabanna, the state secretariat, on Tuesday, Mamata erupted in anger over the latest killing at Sonamukhi in Bankura, where TMC’s booth president Sheikh Sayan was shot dead on Monday night.
In the wake of Sayan’s murder, the Chief Minister directly questioned district police superintendents present at the meeting. “Why are there so many murders? What are the police stations doing? Why can’t the police know anything in advance?” she said with her dissatisfaction evident.
Mamata stressed that inaction would not be tolerated. “I head the government responsibilities. What are the officers at police station doing? We have to keep an eye on it,” she told officials.
The state Intelligence Branch (IB) wing also faced sharp criticism. “What is the IB doing? Why don’t they get any information in advance? It’s not okay to file a report after the murder. Why can’t it be prevented in advance?” Mamata asked.
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This is not the first time the Chief Minister has reprimanded the police over political killings. In July, she had raised similar concerns following the murders of two TMC leaders in Birbhum within a week.
Administrative circles admit the government’s image is under strain amid the string of political murders across the state. A section of government officials have questioned the police’s effectiveness in preventing such attacks despite repeated warnings from the top.
Mamata made it clear that “law and order must be maintained,” warning that failure to do so would invite strict action.
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