Pre-Panchayat Poll Violent Incidents in Bengal “A Reality and Not Fiction”: Governor

GG News Bureau

Kolkata, 20th June. West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose said on Monday that incidents of violence in the run-up to the rural elections are “a reality and not fiction”, which he is focused on containing.

He stated that the ‘Peace Room’ at the Raj Bhavan was established primarily to ensure that the common man of Bengal may live in peace and exercise their franchise without fear.

“There have been certain instances. We are trying to contain those. We mean together, all the stakeholders, the state government, the SEC, all political parties, media and the silent majority.

“Violence here (in West Bengal) is a reality and not a fiction. We have to contain and curb it. That’s what I am focusing on,” Bose said.

The governor was responding to questions on the need for a “Peace Room” following his recent visits to violence-stricken districts in Bhangore and Canning in South 24 Parganas district.

“Some miscreant elements have opened ‘war rooms’ in some places of the state… We want to establish that the common man will be able to live in peace and go to the polls without fear. That is why this ‘Peace Room’ has been set up as a bridge between the government and the common man,” he said.

Bose stated that the complaints received at the ‘Peace Room’ were not allegations but facts, as the majority of them came from survivors of attacks and violence.

“We are analysing the petitions received and sending those to the competent authorities… The ultimate objective is to see that this unhealthy trend is rooted out from the election scenario of Bengal,” he said.

He said the unprecedented situation demanded unprecedented action, and everything would be taken care of under the framework of the Constitution.

According to a Raj Bhavan statement on Saturday, the ‘Peace Room’ was opened keeping “in view the numerous representations received from citizens on criminal intimidation in pre-poll Bengal”.

The governor also made mention of the immediate steps taken by the State Election Commission (SEC) to beef up the security of Darjeeling MP Raju Bista, following a complaint received from him regarding threat to his life.

On the deployment of central forces for the July 8 panchayat elections, Bose said since the matter is in the Supreme Court, it would be better to wait for its verdict.