“Deploy Military”: President’s Rule In West Bengal Called For By Mithun Chakraborty
The remarks from Mithun Chakraborty arrive amidst communal conflicts in various Muslim-populated municipalities such as Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur between April 8 and April 12.
New Delhi:
Actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty has asked the Centre to think about imposing President’s Rule in West Bengal in view of the law and order situation in the state after a week of violence in Murshidabad district, following protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act.
“I’ve asked many times, and I’m still asking the Home Minister. At least, please deploy the military within for two months during the elections. If deployed, then neutral elections will occur,” said Mr Chakraborty.
The comments by the actor follow communal violence in a number of Muslim-populated municipalities such as Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur between April 8 and 12. The violence has claimed three lives, arrested hundreds, and displaced thousands, prompting the state government and central agencies to step in.
West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, defying Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s appeal to postpone his visit, landed in Malda on Friday. On Saturday, he is slated to visit the areas of Shamsherganj, Dhulian, Suti, and Jangipur in Murshidabad, which have witnessed violence, to evaluate the ground situation.
The Governor, prior to his scheduled tours, visited displaced families at a relief camp at a school in Malda.
“I met the relatives who are here in this camp. I had a lengthy discussion with them. I heard their complaints and I understood their sentiments. Definitely, positive action will be taken,” Mr Bose stated.
The Governor alleged that several of the women he interviewed had recounted being physically attacked and abused.
“They said they were intimidated. Miscreants broke into their homes, bodily harmed them and abused them. All of them said they wish to be protected and secured. They also wish to have their homes, which were wrecked and gutted, rebuilt. And they mentioned the need for livelihood opportunities,” he stated.
A delegation of the National Commission for Women (NCW), headed by Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar, went to the relief camps and interacted with families who were hit by the violence. Addressing the media, Ms Rahatkar stated, “Everyone must be sensitive towards women, and this sensitivity alone can guarantee justice to women. This type of situation arises when there is a lack of sensitivity.”
Ms Rahatkar, who is one of the members of an NCW-constituted inquiry committee, is on a three-day Malda-Murshidabad tour to look into the violence’s effect on women and children.
