Breakdown of constitutional machinery: Congress demands President's Rule in Bengal
India Today
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has claimed that the law and order situation in West Bengal has completely broken down and that 26 political murders were reported in Bengal last month.
Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has written to President Ram Nath Kovind demanding President’s Rule in West Bengal against the backdrop of a retaliatory arson in the state’s Birbhum district after a deputy Panchayat chief was killed in a crude bomb attack.
Citing the “deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal” and 26 political murders in the last one month alone, Chowdhury urged President Kovind to invoke Article 355 of the India Constitution in Birbhum.
“On Monday, the 21 March 2022. There was a violent fight between two groups of the ruling party in Bogtui village in Birbhum district. The Deputy Pradhan, Shri Bhadu Sheikh, was killed and, in retaliation, houses in the area were attacked and set on fire, resulting in 12 deaths, those of women and children. All the victims belong to the minority community,” Chowdhury wrote.
“The law and order situation in West Bengal has completely broken down. It is very sad to note that during last month itself there were 26 political murders in West Bengal. The poll violence and post-poll violence have claimed many lives. The whole state is in the grip of fear and violence,” he said.
“I raised this serious matter in the Parliament yesterday, i.e. 22nd March, in order to draw the attention of the nation regarding the breakdown of the constitutional machinery in the state. In view of the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal, I request you to invoke Article 355 of the Constitution to ensure that the Government of West Bengal is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.”
Deputy Pradhan Bhadu Sheikh was killed on Monday when a crude bomb was hurled at him. In retaliation, the house belonging to his rival Sonu Sheikh, according to the locals, was burnt down by arsonists. An entire family was charred to death. At least eight people were killed in the arson that has forced several people to flee their homes in fear of retribution.
The Calcutta High Court, which took suo moto cognizance of the arson, today directed the Bengal government to ensure witnesses are protected, CCTV cameras are installed in the area and foreign evidence is preserved.
