Mamata fires salvo at BJP, RSS for 'spreading communal tension'

Durgapur: Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday held BJP and RSS responsible for spreading communal tension in different areas, by throwing meat at places of worship of Hindus and Muslims.

"They are engaging some youths who are throwing meat at places of worship. It was found that in Habra, where communal tension broke out a few months ago, two youths who were associated RSS and BJP had thrown meat at a place of worship," she said while addressing the administrative review meeting in Durgapur on Monday afternoon.

She asked the police to form Community Development Committees, involving local people, clubs and other organisations and intensify vigil in the areas. "Those who can identify the people who are trying to foment communal tension, will be awarded a cash prize of Rs 1,000 or a job," she maintained.

Banerjee asked the police to remain ever vigilant against "such evil forces." "They attack their targets either during the early hours of the day, late at night or even in late afternoon, when the areas look empty. The police should intensify vigil during these hours," she said, adding "steps should be taken to ensure peace during Ramnavami."

Coming down heavily on Central agencies like Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Coal India, she said they will be held responsible if people die due to caving-in of land, which is a formidable problem in vast areas surrounding Ranigunj.

"The state government has decided to construct 35,000 houses for the people but the agencies are not cooperating," she said. She asked state Chief Secretary Malay De to take up the matter with the Centre. De said he had already spoken to the Union Coal Secretary.

Out of 400 acres of land, the state government has got possession of 170 acres and on the remaining 230 acres, ECL has imposed a ban as mining is going on below.

Banerjee asked the police to take prompt action against the coal mafias and alleged that they are working in connivance with a section of police. "Without support from the police they cannot work," she remarked. When Surajit Kar Purkayastha, Director General of police, told her that CCTVs had been installed and police have intensified vigil, she said "installing CCTVs are not enough, police should intensify patrolling."

She asked local Trinamool Congress leaders to get in touch with Derek O' Brien, to take it up with the Steel Ministry against the Centre's proposal to shift the headquarters of Alloy Steel. "They are trying to shift the headquarters of DVC from Kolkata and we have protested against it," she said.

Banerjee asked the civic bodies to conduct drives against vector-borne diseases. "The corporations, municipalities and the Panchayats should work seriously and drives should be conducted till November to check the spread of Malaria and Dengue. Even during the ensuing Panchayat election, the drive should be carried out," she instructed the district administration.