MHA seeks report from West Bengal govt on post-poll violence

The Centre has sought a report from the West Bengal government over the incidents of violence allegedly targetting workers of the opposition parties since the announcements of results of the assembly elections.

“MHA has asked West Bengal Government for a report on the post election violence targeting opposition political workers in the state,” the ministry said in a tweet in the evening.

The state was in the throes of widespread violence on Monday that allegedly left several BJP workers dead and many others injured.

The saffron party has shared purported videos of the violence and arson and claimed that at least six of its workers including a woman had been killed.

The BJP has announced a nationwide dharna on May 5 against the violence, and said these protests will be held following all COVID-19 protocols.

Governor Jagdeep Dhankar discussed the situation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee when she called on him at Raj Bhavan to submit her resignation.

“During our more than an hour interaction, my primary focus was that the Government takes all steps to ensure the post poll violence, arson, loot and killings end. It is unfortunate that many lives have been lost, several injured, houses torched in this violence,” Dhankar said in a tweet.

Earlier the governor summoned the West Bengal DGP and the Kolkata Police Commissioner and directed them to take all steps to restore the law and order. He also summoned the additional chief secretary in the Home Department and asked him to submit a report on the incidents of violence.

Meanwhile, Banerjee urged her supporters to maintain peace and asked them not to fall prey to provocations. She, however, alleged that the central forces had committed many atrocities on the TMC supporters during the elections.

Banerjee had Sunday lost the seat to her former lieutenant-turned-adversary Suvendu Adhikari.