Amid reports of violence in West Bengal ahead of panchayat election on July 8, Governor CV Ananda Bose has formed a Peace and Harmony committee headed by former Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Subhro Kamal Mukherjee, ANI reported. Mukherjee will look into the matter of maintaining peace and harmony in the state.
"The committee will study the menace of violence in society, and how it will affect the student community, the future generation and the education system in the state of West Bengal," a Raj Bhavan statement said.
The development comes amid reports of pre-poll violence in several West Bengal districts over the upcoming panchayat elections. Over 15 people have died in the violence so far, IANS reported.
Last week, the Governor visited violence-hit areas in Cooch Behar district and met family members of a man who was killed during an incident of firing last month.
Bose also visited a hospital where people injured in pre-poll violence were undergoing treatment.
Speaking to reporters, Bose said he has directed police to immediately arrest those involved in recent incidents of violence.
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However, state Director General of police Manoj Malviya on Tuesday claimed that "stray" incidents of violence and clashes were being blown out of proportion and projected in a big way.
"There had been a couple of incidents, where the police had taken prompt action. We are working as per guidelines. The situation is well under control and incidents of violence have come down. The media is projecting minor incidents as major ones. This is not done," Malviya said at a media briefing.
In view of the situation, the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed that 50 per cent of the total security strength in each booth for the panchayat polls should be from the central forces. Central and state forces should be deployed in the ratio of 50:50, the court ordered.
Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, observing that the situation prevailing was "abnormal", said it could be brought under control by deploying at least two central armed forces personnel in each election booth.
The panchayat elections will be held on Saturday and the counting of votes will take place on July 11.