Even cops are not safe in Bengal, says Rajnath

Speaking in a public meeting in West Bengal for the first time after the January 3 Kaliachak incident, Union home minister Rajnath Singh lashed out at the Mamata Banerjee government saying even police officers were not safe in the state.

Singh also remarked that the Centre will deploy as many central paramilitary personnel as required for fair polls in the state.

“The situation in West Bengal is so bad that even police is not safe. Criminals are attacking police stations and setting them on fire. We have to prevent infiltration of terror elements in Bengal,” Singh said in a public rally in North 24 Parganas on Thursday.

“Maa, mati and manush, none is safe in the state,” Singh said in an obvious jibe at the Trinamool Congress slogan.

On the question of ensuring fair polls, Singh also remarked that he will personally speak to the Election Commission of India officials.

Incidentally, in poll-bound Bengal there is a chorus from the Opposition that free and fair polls are not possible in the state unless there is a complete cover by the central forces and the state police should be kept out of the picture.

“The law and order situation in West Bengal is cause of concern.... If the law and order situation does not improve, investment won’t come. Investors want rule of law. If there is poor governance,” none will come,” the home minister said.

First Published: Jan 22, 2016 00:11 IST