Saturday, May 18

“Bengal Is Not A Banana Republic”: West Bengal Governor On Attacking ED

Edited by Kabani R
"Bengal Is Not A Banana Republic": West Bengal Governor On Attacking ED"Bengal Is Not A Banana Republic": West Bengal Governor On Attacking ED (Image:twitter/Governor of West Bengal)

West Bengal governor CV Ananda Bose on Friday in strong words condemned the attack on Enforcement Directorate officials by TMC leader Sheikh Sajahan’s supporters. Criticising it as ghastly, deplorable and alarming incident governor said, “Bengal is not a banana republic” and added that “the government should stop barbarism and vandalism in a democracy”. The officials were attacked when they attempted to raid the TMC leader’s house in connection with an alleged multi-crore ration distribution scam.

It was on Friday morning, a group of federal agency officials were attacked by followers of local TMC leader Sheikh Shajahan. The incident happened in the Sarberia area of Sandeshkhal. The agency is conducting raids at 18 places in West Bengal and TMC leader’s house at Sandeshkhali was one among them. When the officials reached his house along with CRPF jawans to raid, a huge number of TMC loyalist  first gheraoed and then assaulted them. Besides, they have destroyed their vehicles. Following, the officers were forced to flee from the place in two-wheelers and autorickshaws for safety. There are also reports that media persons who reached the location to cover the raid were also beaten up and their vehicles were vandalised.

Condemning the incident, CV Ananda Bose said: “It is a ghastly incident. It is alarming and deplorable. It is the duty of a civilised government to stop barbarism and vandalism in a democracy. If a govt fails in its basic duty, then the Constitution of India will take its course. I reserve all my constitutional options for appropriate action. This pre-election violence should find an early end, and this is the beginning of that end,” Hindustan Times quotes.

Sheikh Sajahan is claimed to be close aide of Bengal minister Jyotipriyo Mallick. In connection with the ration scam, Jyotipriyo Mallick has been arrested by the central probe agency in last October itself.