Asansol violence: Police acting like TMC cadres, says BJP MP Babul Supriyo

BJP MP Babul Supriyo, who has been in the violence-torn Asansol to take stock of the situation, said on Thursday that the state administration including the police and the district magistrate is acting like TMC cadres.

"Whether it's the police, the District Magistrate or the administration, they are all acting like TMC cadres. It's no coincidence that Babul Supriyo enters Asansol after 24 hours and the internet services are shut down, because they know I'm going to give media reports from the ground and talk about the failure of the administration," Supriyo told ANI.

The BJP MP further accused the police of coming into action only after the miscreants have reached their hiding places.

"It has been the modus operandi that the police do not act in the first hour and a half," he remarked and added that an officer of DCP rank was bombed on Wednesday and not even tear gases were fired by the police.

Supriyo's claims come in stark contrast to the police's statement that the situation is under control in Asansol.

Terming it a part of the state government's "dirty politics", Supriyo said that he has apprised the Prime Minister and the Home Ministry about the ground situation.

"I have apprised them that the report to be sent by the state is again going to be another set of the hoax, another few pages of absolute trash," he added.

On Wednesday, the Central Government sought a report from the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on incidents of arson and violence during Ram Navami processions in the last two days.

Supriyo, who also met the state Governor Keshri Nath Tripathi during his visit, said that he has informed the Centre that that several attempts by the Governor to convince the state to allow paramilitary force in Asansol have failed.

The Ram Navami celebrations on March 25 had turned sour after clashes erupted in various parts of Bengal leaving three dead and several injured.

Condemning the incidents of violence, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had asserted that such behaviour was unacceptable in her state, and said that her government would strongly deal with each miscreant.

Following the continued violence, Section 144 was imposed in Asansol, on Wednesday.