'Jungle Raj Will Work In Fool's Paradise': Bengal Guv Slams Mamata Govt Over Attack On ED Team

A mob attacked the vehicles of the probe agency and central forces during a raid on Shankar Adhya, a close aide of jailed West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick.

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose

New Delhi: Slamming Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over the attack on Enforcement Directorate (ED) officers in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, Governor CV Ananda Bose said it is the responsibility of a civilised government to stop "barbarism and vandalism in a democracy", news agency PTI reported. Condemning the attack, Bose asked the police to shun its “ostrich-like attitude” and stop pretending not to see the lawlessness around.

“As a Governor, I explore all my Constitutional options for appropriate action at the appropriate manner. The ghastly incident in Sandeshkhali is alarming and deplorable. It's the duty of a civilised government to stop barbarism and vandalism in a democracy. Jungle Raj and gunda raj will work in a fool's paradise,” Bose said in an audio statement as reported by the news agency.

VIDEO | West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose arrives at a hospital to meet the ED officials, who were assaulted by supporters of TMC leader Sheikh Sajahan when they tried to raid his residence in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district earlier today. pic.twitter.com/piux03QcKG

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 5, 2024

Earlier in the day, a mob attacked the vehicles of the probe agency and central forces during a raid on Shankar Adhya, a close aide of jailed West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick. The ED raids were being carried out in connection with the alleged ration scam in North 24 Parganas district's Sandeshkhali.

Stating that West Bengal is not a “banana republic”, Governor Bose further said, “The ostrich-like attitude of the police pretending not to see the lawlessness around should go… This pre-election violence which has an early beginning, should find an early end.”

Meanwhile, West Bengal minister Shashi Panja said TMC does not support any kind of violence, but the villagers complained that they were provoked by the central forces.

"Any kind of violence is not supported by TMC but the villagers were complaining that they were provoked by the central forces which were accompanying the investigative agencies. MoS Nisith Pramanik has been talking about cooperative federalism that Bengal lacks in federalism. Federalism means that there should be good relations between the centre and the state. The centre must cooperate with the states. But what we see here and Nisith Pramanik, you should answer, have you even asked for the MNREGA funds which are due to Bengal? Have you ever asked the Centre why they are not providing funds for housing for the rural poor? You never raised your voice for this," Shashi Panja said, as quoted by news agency ANI.