Kolkata, Jan 22 Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday criticised the Mamata Banerjee government after a protest broke out at a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing centre in North Dinajpur district's Itahar.
Taking to his social media platform X, Adhikari said the state administration "failed" to provide security to officials engaged in SIR duty following the mob rampage.
"Direct defiance of Hon'ble Supreme Court's order by West Bengal Police and Administration, mandating the protection of electoral processes and officials!" Adhikari wrote.
Criticising the attack on poll officials, the BJP MLA said, "Yet another blatant display of lawlessness under the TMC regime. Today, during the SIR hearing at Itahar High School in Itahar Block of Uttar Dinajpur district, a violent mob of miscreants unleashed vandalism, destroying property and disrupting the entire proceedings. Even more appalling, a Lady AERO was brutally attacked in broad daylight, highlighting the utter collapse of Law and Order in West Bengal."
Scenes of chaos unfolded during a SIR hearing process in Itahar after a mob went on a rampage at the said centre and vandalised properties, protesting against the harassment of the common man in the name of calling for SIR hearings.
Commenting on the incident further, Adhikari said, "The Police and Administration stood as mute spectators, allowing these goons to run amok unobstructed. Mamata Banerjee's government continues to trample on democracy, shielding criminals while the security of officials and electors is endangered."
He also appealed to the Election Commission to take cognisance of the matter and sought its intervention. "I urge the Election Commission of India to immediately intervene and take the strongest possible action against the complicit Police Officers and Administrative Officials who failed in their duty," he added.
Previously, similar protests had erupted in different parts of the state, including at the BDO office in Murshidabad district's Farakka over the same issue.
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