Kolkata: Describing the law and order situation in post-poll Bengal as “extremely alarming with numerous cases of killings and rapes” recorded, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Sunday said he has called upon Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi to learn about the steps being taken by the administration to contain this “retributive violence”.
Dismissing his assertions, TMC MP Mahua Moitra said the situation in the state would improve if Dhankhar returned to Delhi and found “another job” for himself.
The governor, taking to Twitter, said lakhs of people were being displaced and property worth hundreds of crores vandalised in Bengal.
He also claimed that the state police is “engaged as an extension of ruling dispensation to let loose vindictiveness on political opponents”.
“Extremely alarming law & order scenario. Security environment is seriously compromised. In such a grim situation called upon (the) Chief Secretary to brief me on the law and order situation on Monday 7th June and indicate all steps taken to contain post poll violence,” he tweeted on Sunday.
The governor also alleged that people who have voted against the ruling TMC are victims of “targeted violence”.
“The state is in (the) grip of unprecedented post poll retributive violence at unimaginable scale, with lacs of people being displaced and property worth hundreds of crores vandalised. Rampant vandalism and hooliganism has resulted in large scale arson, loot, destruction of property.
“Numerous instances of rapes and killings at the hands of rogue elements who have no fear of law (sic),” he stated.
Condemning alleged incidents of socially boycott and denial of benefits to people who had voted for TMC rivals, he said they are being made to pay extortion fees for living in their own house or running their own business.
“Democratic values are openly shredded and trampled by ruling party harmads. People are in mortal fear of police and that in turn is at the feet of ruling party rogue elements,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.
He maintained that state functionaries “are not recognising this malaise, much less take steps to contain it”.
“Police is engaged as extension of ruling dispensation to let loose vindictiveness on political opponents. In such a grim situation Chief Secretary of the state be called upon to brief me urgently on Monday 7th June and indicate all steps taken to contain post poll violence,” Dhankhar, who has always been at loggerheads with the TMC government, added.
Slamming the governor over his contentions, TMC state general secretary Kunal Ghosh said Dhankhar devalued his post.
“He devalued the chair of the governor and worked as an agent of the BJP during elections. Now that people have rejected them (BJP), he is trying to complicate things unnecessarily. He has no importance and lost his mind totally.
He is an insatiable soul,” Ghosh told PTI.
Moitra, addressing Dhankhar as ‘uncle-ji’, said he should go back to Delhi.
“Uncleji only way WB’s ‘grim situation’ will improve is if you move your sorry self back to Delhi & find another job,” Moitra tweeted.
She also suggested he should work as an “advisor to Ajay Bisht Yogi CM (Uttar Pradesh) on how best to ‘Thok Do’ (silence) opposition or advisor to Home Min (minister) on how best to hide during a pandemic”.
