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Journalism of Courage
West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday visited strife-hit areas of Dinhata in Cooch Behar district and met the family members of two Bharatiya Janata Party workers who were killed in the violence that erupted ahead of the panchayat polls in the state. The Governor is currently on a tour of northern districts of West Bengal.
The Governor also visited workers of the ruling Trinamool Congress and BJP who were undergoing treatment at the Dinhata sub-divisional hospital after being injured in the recent incidents of poll-related violence.
After reaching Dinhata, Bose first met the family members of local BJP leader Prasanta Basunia who was shot dead on June 2. While the BJP had accused the TMC of killing their party worker, the ruling party had denied the allegations.
Later, he interacted with the family members of another BJP worker Shambhu Das, who was killed on June 18. Das’ sister-in-law Vishakha is the BJP nominee from booth number 7/149 in Dasagram village in Kisamat area of Dinhata.
Various incidents of poll-related violence have been reported in West Bengal since the announcement of the panchayat election schedule and have left at least 12 people dead till now. The single-phase panchayat polls in West Bengal would be held on July 8 with the counting of votes on July 11.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nisith Pramanik and local MP also called on Bose at the Cooch Behar Circuit House. Pramank had alleged that the district police were working at the directions of the TMC.
The Governor also held talks with a group of six local BJP MLAs and local candidates of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Congress who raised complaints against the state police.
The Opposition leaders alleged that they were unable to go out for campaigning because of the “atrocities of the TMC”.
Speaking to media persons after his meeting with the Governor, Pramanik said, “We have urged the Governor to ensure that law and order is maintained in the run-up to the election. People should be allowed to exercise their franchise in a free and fair manner. We are hopeful that the Governor will take the necessary steps in this regard.”
Meanwhile Bose’s visit to Cooch Behar evoked a sharp response from TMC leader Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay who urged the Governor to act in a “non-partisan manner”. “I feel the Governor should change his jersey. He holds a constitutional post. He should act in a non-partisan manner. Unfortunately, he is failing to do that,” said the TMC leader.
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