Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said that control of villages through “muscle power” would not be allowed even as she charged that a political party was bringing hired goons and arms into Birbhum district.
“One political party, I don’t want to name them, is hiring goons from outside and bringing arms into the district. It will not be tolerated. We want peace in Birbhum,” Banerjee said in an apparent reference to BJP, which has made some inroads into the district. “Police have to stop it. The DGP himself is present here. We will not allow goons to control villages through muscle power,” the chief minister told reporters here after an administrative meeting.
Claiming that some people were trying to portray a negative picture of the law and order situation in Birbhum, Banerjee said development of the district was her priority. On the arrest and slapping of some non-bailable charges against a woman in <g data-gr-id="20">Sattor</g> village who had earlier accused the police of torturing her, the chief minister said, “None has the right to take law into his or her hands. She must have done something, else why would she be arrested? <g data-gr-id="28">Law</g> will take its course.” Asked about the woman’s statement as to how she could have bombs with her when police <g data-gr-id="25">was</g> posted outside her house, Banerjee <g data-gr-id="21">retorted</g>, “How can one know what a person did inside his/her house?” The woman, Hitunnesha Bibi — a relative of a BJP activist —her husband, <g data-gr-id="22">mother-in law</g> and three others were arrested on Saturday for allegedly blocking a highway and attacking the police with bombs. They have been remanded in judicial custody till July 17.
Vyapam needs to be probed by <g data-gr-id="67">neutral,capable</g> authority
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said she was in favour of a probe by a neutral and capable agency into the Vyampam scam. Reacting to the scandal that has caused a national outcry, she told reporters here that it was a matter of concern as it amounted to "cold blooded murders".Asked whether a CBI probe would be appropriate, she <g data-gr-id="72">said</g> "Why only CBI? I have respect for all agencies. And even the CBI has not been able to solve all cases. What I want is <g data-gr-id="71">probe</g> by a neutral and capable authority". The Trinamool Congress supremo had on Monday said that her party would raise the scam in Parliament during the coming monsoon session and had demanded a Supreme <g data-gr-id="66">Court-monitored</g> probe. "The Trinamool Congress will raise its voice against Vyapam scam in Parliament. I strongly condemn the incident. It should be investigated under the monitoring of the SC," Banerjee said.