Bengal opposition supporting hooliganism: TMC Minister

West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee on Wednesday accused the state's Opposition parties of "supporting the hooliganism of the anti-socials" by protesting against the West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Amendment Bill, 2017, that was passed by the assembly.

"West Bengal Maintenance of Public Order Amendment Bill, 2017, has been passed in the assembly and it will be implemented in the state after following necessary procedures," Chatterjee said at a press conference after the house adjourned for the day.

"This is not a new bill. It was there in 1972, it was there even in 2009," he said.

Referring to the pandemonium in the house over the Opposition's protests against the bill, the Trinamool leader said the bill is necessary to stop the destruction of public property.

"In a democracy, it is the government's duty to protect its people. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has done just that through the bill," he said.

"It is important to stop mischiefs like destroying people's property, torching of houses and police vehicles. The people who are opposing the bill are encouraging the looting and destruction of public property," the minister said.

When asked about the suspension of Leader of Opposition Abdul Mannan, Chatterjee claimed the Opposition leaders are responsible for Wednesday's ruckus.

Mannan got indisposed and was rushed to the hospital after he was forcibly removed by the security staff following a two-day suspension slapped on him by Speaker Biman Banerjee for disobeying him.

The Speaker asked Mannan to remove placards and posters and an apron containing pictures of the vandalism in the assembly lobby on November 30, 2006, by then opposition Trinamool Congress members.

"A few Congress lawmakers, especially Leader of Opposition, as also some Communist Party of India-Marxist members, behaved in an unruly manner. Leader of Opposition refused to obey the instruction of the Speaker. He was asked to leave. But he refused to comply with the instruction," said Chatterjee.

--IANS

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