Mamata Banerjee Gives Free Hand to Police to Investigate Panchayat Poll Violence

In response to the violence that marred the recently concluded state panchayat elections, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has granted the state police a free hand to probe the incidents. During a media briefing on Wednesday, Banerjee expressed her concern over the loss of lives, with 19 individuals, mostly affiliated with her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), having been reported dead since the announcement of the elections. She emphasized that the police would be taking necessary action against those responsible for the rural poll violence.

Banerjee also announced that the families of the deceased would receive compensation of Rs 2 lakhs, along with the offer of a special home guard job. Notably, this support would extend to individuals from any political party, as the government aims to ensure equal treatment for all victims. While incidents of violence were reported from approximately 60 out of the 71,000 polling booths, the Bengal CM expressed gratitude for her party's resounding victory in the panchayat polls, acknowledging that opposition parties, through their criticism, inadvertently helped the TMC.

The Chief Minister also addressed the challenges faced by her party during the election campaign, citing relentless false propaganda. Reflecting on her own experiences as an Opposition leader, Banerjee commented on the physical attacks she endured, and now, as the BJP holds power, she accused them of engaging in unprecedented levels of misinformation. She questioned the motives behind the hostility, speculating whether it stemmed from her humble background or her advocacy for unity.

Taking a dig at the BJP, Banerjee questioned the sincerity of their fact-finding team's visit to Bengal to investigate the violence, highlighting the lack of similar visits to other states during times of turmoil. She regarded these teams as provocations orchestrated by the BJP rather than genuine fact-finding endeavors. While expressing sorrow over the loss of lives during the panchayat polls, Banerjee assured the public that she had instructed the police to take appropriate actions against the culprits.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister criticized the Congress and the CPM, holding them equally accountable for the violence. Denouncing any form of violence, she emphasized her commitment to steering clear of politics rooted in hatred and aggression. Using metaphoric language, Banerjee stated that a collective conspiracy orchestrated by Ram, Shyam, and Bam (referring to the three political parties) had aimed to disrupt the elections through violence.

The aftermath of the West Bengal panchayat elections has brought violence into the spotlight, with Mamata Banerjee empowering the police to initiate a thorough investigation. As the state grapples with these challenges, the government has taken steps to provide support and compensation to the affected families, regardless of their political affiliations.

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