TMC team detained at Silchar to maintain law and order: Rajnath

A delegation of Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders flew to Silchar but was detained at the airport to maintain law and order in Assam, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday told the Lok Sabha, adding that the delegation members created an "unruly situation at the airport".

Citing a document received from the Assam government, the Minister said the state government took the step based on "media and intelligence inputs".

"On the basis of intelligence inputs, considering the law and order situation and to avoid any deteriorating condition, the Assam government detained the honourable (delegation) members who reached Silchar airport," Rajanth Singh said.

"As per my information, the district officials there requested the TMC members with folded hands that Section 144 of CrPC was in force in the entire district and it would not be good for them to go outside. Then, they were detained at the airport."

The Assam government reported minor scuffle between the district administration employees and some of the representatives of the delegation at the airport, he said. "A few of them also received injuries in the melee."

The Minister explained that the TMC delegation reached the Silchar airport around 1.55 p.m on on Thursday and the Deputy Commissioner received them.

"(He) requested them to go back. The delegation members did not listen to the instructions and started an argument. They also started manhandling the district administration people in which two women security personnel (were) injured.

"The delegation members created unruly situation at the airport which led to discomfort to other passengers, who complained about it to the district administration," Rajnath Singh said.

As the last flight for Delhi and Kolkata had taken off, the Assam Police had no option but to arrest the delegation members, he said.

He said their night halt was proposed at the NIT guest house in Silchar. But on their written request, they were halted at the Silchar airport guest house. On Friday, six members of the delegations flew back to Kolkata and Delhi.

The Minister's remarks came after TMC MPs disrupted the Lok Sabha over the issue and gave a privilege notice.

TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said during Zero Hour that a team consisting of six MPs and also two ministers from West Bengal went to Silchar for the purpose of having only a discussion and an assessment of the issue in question. They had categorically said there would not be any public meeting.

"When they reached Silchar airport, they were detained. They were manhandled by Assam Police," he said and added: "Is it not an undeclared Emergency in the country itself? Even during Emergency, people could have moved from one place to other."

"I know elections are coming and everyone is getting ready for that. Are you afraid of that? Are you getting nervous after seeing the united force of the Opposition that you are detaining the MPs there? We condemn this act," Banerjee said.

BJP MP from Assam Bijoya Chakravarty said there is Bengali population in 37 districts of Assam. "In my constituency, Guwahati alone, there are 3,45,000 Bengalis. There is no trouble. There is peace everywhere. There is no tension anywhere. TMC MPs created problems and also manhandled people. Why did they go there to create tension?

"West Bengal Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) said there will be civil war and bloodbath in Assam. This is against law ... they should be booked," she said.

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury slamming Mamata Banerjee said there is no civil war or bloodbath anywhere, neither in Assam nor Bengal. "Everyne should realise their responsibility. This is being raised to create a situation of sub-regionalism. This is dangerous."

--IANS

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