People from Budhia and Narhatta gram panchayats in West Bengal’s Malda district turned up at local schools after receiving Special Intensive Revision (SIR) notices, triggering chaotic scenes. In the absence of police personnel, several individuals were reportedly assaulted while attempting to enter the premises.
Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday accused the Delhi Police of intimidating and harassing people from Bengal who had come to the national capital to seek justice.
A TMC delegation led by Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee arrived in New Delhi and is scheduled to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to submit objections against the ongoing SIR exercise in poll-bound West Bengal. Ahead of the meeting, Mamata visited Banga Bhawan in Delhi, alleging that families affected by SIR were being pressured and intimidated by the Delhi Police.
Claiming that the affected families had travelled to Delhi to raise their grievances, Mamata said they were now facing harassment. “They are torturing Bengal’s people. I will not say anything to the Delhi Police as they are acting on instructions. The sufferers will speak directly to the media,” she said, announcing a press conference where the affected families would share their experiences.
According to the TMC, around 30 families were staying at Banga Bhawan on Hailey Road, while nearly 100 families were accommodated across two Banga Bhawan facilities. Most of them were reportedly from Malda and Murshidabad districts and had allegedly lost close relatives due to actions linked to the SIR exercise.
Mamata Banerjee was also seen confronting Delhi Police personnel stationed outside Banga Bhawan, questioning their presence. “Why are you here? Why are you threatening our people? They have come to seek justice. Please stop harassing simple villagers,” she said, alleging that the police deployment was intended to instil fear and restrict movement.
The Chief Minister further questioned why affected families from Bengal were being prevented from speaking to the media despite having prior appointments. Accusing the police of acting under instructions, she asserted that the aggrieved had the right to be heard.
Responding to these allegations, Delhi Police sources told India Today that there were no restrictions on movement at any of the Banga Bhawans. They clarified that the deployment was purely preventive, aimed at maintaining law and order and avoiding any untoward incident.
In a separate media statement, the TMC claimed Mamata Banerjee’s visit was prompted by what it described as heavy police deployment outside Banga Bhawan since morning, allegedly to restrict movement and create an atmosphere of intimidation and surveillance. The party said the Chief Minister also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah and questioned the role of the Delhi Police.
Calling the situation unfortunate, Mamata said that families who had lost relatives due to SIR were now being guarded by central forces. She appealed to Amit Shah not to “show muscle power” and reminded him that central leaders were accorded respectful treatment when visiting West Bengal.
“When the Home Minister comes to Bengal, we roll out the red carpet. But when we come to Delhi, you give us the black carpet. Please stop the atrocities and harassment of Bengal’s people who have already suffered so much,” she said.
Reiterating its stand, Delhi Police again stated that security personnel were deployed solely as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order and that no restrictions had been imposed on anyone staying at Banga Bhawan.