Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee instructed the police to be on alert and take immediate action against those who attempt to foment communal violence.
She directed the Howrah district administration to submit a report on the compensation package given to the people affected by the Dhulagarh violence in December 2016. “Some anti-socials from outside had created trouble in Dhulagarh. The issue was a rural one, however, some people posted pictures on social networking sites to create false propaganda and fan violence,” Ms Banerjee said at the administrative review meeting at Sarat Sadan, Howrah, on Friday.
In a reference to the BJP, she further alleged that they were trying to create the false belief that the administration had done nothing at Dhulagarh. “It is absolutely false. Why don’t they tell the facts about how many people were arrested? How many people were given compensation by the government?” she asked, and claimed that a television channel had aired a one-sided report on the Dhulagarh incident.
Ms Banerjee claimed that her government has provided compensation of Rs 2.5 crores to those affected by the violence. “Around 250 houses and shops were constructed for them along with providing a one-time assistance amounting to Rs 25,000,” she added.
The chief minister advised the police to use civic police, green police and local club for gathering ground-level information.
“Keep an eye on each and every incident. Don’t ignore any information and cross-check its veracity. Some people from outside are trying to foment communal discord,” she said. She also urged the police to do more rounds on roads, rather than keeping themselves confined within police stations, and thereby play an effective role to maintain law and order.
Addressing the inspectors-in-charge and block development officers (BDO) as the “first face of the government”, she directed them to take possession of all information about their areas and work in tandem with each other.
She also hit out at the Centre, alleging that it was bypassing the zilla parishads and panchayat samitis in implementing schemes. She asked the panchayat secretary to create a system for including them within the ambit of the BDO’s monitoring work.
Highlighting the development of Howrah, she said that work for a textile hub at Belur would be completed before puja festival. At the venue, Ms Banerjee also inaugurated the Uluberia stadium and two “krishak bazars” in the district.
