Kolkata, Amid widespread outrage over the public flogging of a couple in West Bengal last week, Governor C V Ananda Bose on Tuesday accused Mamata Banerjee's government of supporting mob attacks, prompting a harsh response from the ruler. TMC, which asked him to act impartially.
The Governor, who was scheduled to visit Chopra to meet the caned couple, canceled his trip to Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district as the victims living there wanted to meet him at Raj Bhavan.
Bose, instead, visited Cooch Behar to meet other alleged victims of atrocities upon his arrival from New Delhi on Tuesday morning. Women BJP legislators demonstrated outside the West Bengal assembly for the second consecutive day, protesting against the attack. to the couple in Chopra and the alleged torture of a woman in Cooch Behar.
The TMC issued a show-cause notice to its Chopra MLA Hamidul Rehaman for his controversial comments supporting the public flogging of the couple.
After meeting women victims of atrocities in Cooch Behar, the governor criticized the state government over the recent incidents of lynchings and mob attacks, declaring that Bengal is no longer safe for women. "These incidents occur under the leadership, support and patronage of the state government. The ruling party, bureaucrats and corrupt police personnel are behind these incidents," Bose said after meeting the victims.
"There have been incidents of violence in Bengal since last year's panchayat elections. This cannot continue. The state government should take action against this," said Bose, who has had tense relations with the state government over several issues.
Instead of addressing these issues, the government is using money to fuel and spread violence, he alleged. Bose questioned Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also serves as the state's home minister, for not submitting a report on the incident. of Chopra's flogging that he had requested on Monday.
“It is my constitutional responsibility, and it is also the responsibility of the CM, that if I ask for a report on any matter, it is given on time,” she said.
She added that this has not been done and accused the CM of trying to create a constitutional hurdle. "I am serious about this matter. All necessary steps will be taken."
When asked why she did not visit Chopra, Bose explained: "Chopra's victims asked me to meet them privately at Raj Bhavan. I acceded to their request.
He added that the victims could meet him anywhere, be it Raj Bhavan or anywhere else. People who met him approached the 'Peace Room' of Raj Bhavan and expressed their desire to seek justice.
The man seen in a viral video beating the couple with a bamboo stick was identified as Tajmul alias 'JCB', an alleged TMC leader from Chopra area. The incident, captured on video Friday, sparked widespread public outrage.
The TMC strongman was arrested on Sunday afternoon and faces charges including attempted murder, assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.Islam tortured the couple with bamboo sticks after that an irregular court accused them of having an illicit relationship.
Islam is a notorious figure in the town with a history of criminal activity. He was earlier involved in a Chopra murder case in 2021,” an IPS officer said.
Known for his close association with Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman, Islam was earlier arrested in 2023 for his alleged involvement in the murder of CPI(M) leader Mansur Naimul just before the panchayat elections.The ruling Trinamool Congress issued the Tuesday a show-cause notice to his Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman for his comments in support of public flogging.
A senior TMC leader stated, "The party does not in any way support the incident or the comments made by the MLA."
Responding to the incident, Rahman said: "The couple was involved in an illicit relationship, for which they were flogged. They were polluting the society through their activities. The woman was at fault for getting involved in an illicit relationship despite having a son". and husband.The TMC, however, criticized the governor for his comments against the state government.
"The governor must act impartially. He is acting on the instructions of the BJP," said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh.
BJP's Asansol MLA Agnimitra Paul and three other legislators staged a demonstration outside the West Bengal assembly for the second consecutive day, demanding punishment for those involved in the incidents. Paul told reporters that women in West Bengal "are not safe" under the TMC government.
Meanwhile, a housewife in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district committed suicide after she was allegedly harassed by a group of people over her "extramarital affair", police said on Tuesday.
Four people, including two women, were arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred amid the current furor over flogging.
The Governor, who was scheduled to visit Chopra to meet the caned couple, canceled his trip to Chopra in Uttar Dinajpur district as the victims living there wanted to meet him at Raj Bhavan.
Bose, instead, visited Cooch Behar to meet other alleged victims of atrocities upon his arrival from New Delhi on Tuesday morning. Women BJP legislators demonstrated outside the West Bengal assembly for the second consecutive day, protesting against the attack. to the couple in Chopra and the alleged torture of a woman in Cooch Behar.
The TMC issued a show-cause notice to its Chopra MLA Hamidul Rehaman for his controversial comments supporting the public flogging of the couple.
After meeting women victims of atrocities in Cooch Behar, the governor criticized the state government over the recent incidents of lynchings and mob attacks, declaring that Bengal is no longer safe for women. "These incidents occur under the leadership, support and patronage of the state government. The ruling party, bureaucrats and corrupt police personnel are behind these incidents," Bose said after meeting the victims.
"There have been incidents of violence in Bengal since last year's panchayat elections. This cannot continue. The state government should take action against this," said Bose, who has had tense relations with the state government over several issues.
Instead of addressing these issues, the government is using money to fuel and spread violence, he alleged. Bose questioned Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who also serves as the state's home minister, for not submitting a report on the incident. of Chopra's flogging that he had requested on Monday.
“It is my constitutional responsibility, and it is also the responsibility of the CM, that if I ask for a report on any matter, it is given on time,” she said.
She added that this has not been done and accused the CM of trying to create a constitutional hurdle. "I am serious about this matter. All necessary steps will be taken."
When asked why she did not visit Chopra, Bose explained: "Chopra's victims asked me to meet them privately at Raj Bhavan. I acceded to their request.
He added that the victims could meet him anywhere, be it Raj Bhavan or anywhere else. People who met him approached the 'Peace Room' of Raj Bhavan and expressed their desire to seek justice.
The man seen in a viral video beating the couple with a bamboo stick was identified as Tajmul alias 'JCB', an alleged TMC leader from Chopra area. The incident, captured on video Friday, sparked widespread public outrage.
The TMC strongman was arrested on Sunday afternoon and faces charges including attempted murder, assault with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and voluntarily causing grievous hurt.Islam tortured the couple with bamboo sticks after that an irregular court accused them of having an illicit relationship.
Islam is a notorious figure in the town with a history of criminal activity. He was earlier involved in a Chopra murder case in 2021,” an IPS officer said.
Known for his close association with Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman, Islam was earlier arrested in 2023 for his alleged involvement in the murder of CPI(M) leader Mansur Naimul just before the panchayat elections.The ruling Trinamool Congress issued the Tuesday a show-cause notice to his Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman for his comments in support of public flogging.
A senior TMC leader stated, "The party does not in any way support the incident or the comments made by the MLA."
Responding to the incident, Rahman said: "The couple was involved in an illicit relationship, for which they were flogged. They were polluting the society through their activities. The woman was at fault for getting involved in an illicit relationship despite having a son". and husband.The TMC, however, criticized the governor for his comments against the state government.
"The governor must act impartially. He is acting on the instructions of the BJP," said TMC leader Kunal Ghosh.
BJP's Asansol MLA Agnimitra Paul and three other legislators staged a demonstration outside the West Bengal assembly for the second consecutive day, demanding punishment for those involved in the incidents. Paul told reporters that women in West Bengal "are not safe" under the TMC government.
Meanwhile, a housewife in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district committed suicide after she was allegedly harassed by a group of people over her "extramarital affair", police said on Tuesday.
Four people, including two women, were arrested in connection with the incident, which occurred amid the current furor over flogging.
