Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday appealed to people not to take the law into their own hands amid rising public anger over corruption allegations, urging citizens to trust the police and the legal process instead.Speaking at Nabanna, Adhikari said his govt would continue to act firmly against corruption and crime while ensuring that all action was taken through due process.“I appeal to people not to go to anyone’s residence or cause unrest. The administration is taking all necessary and strict measures against corruption. The change in govt was brought about to establish the rule of law. People should have faith in the legal process,” he said.“After formally lodging complaints against corrupt individuals and their activities, citizens can trust the police and the administration to take stringent action in accordance with the law,” the CM added.Referring to recent arrests, the CM highlighted the ability of state agencies to pursue accused persons beyond Bengal’s borders. “We have arrested a former MLA. The STF and Hooghly Police brought him back from Karnataka. There is no need for people to form groups and go to the homes of accused persons. If required, the police will take the help of the CID and inter-state agencies. The STF has modern investigative tools and will act wherever evidence exists. This is not political vendetta; that is not how a govt functions,” he said.Adhikari reiterated that his administration had adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption and violent crime. “I want to tell people across the state that we have a zero-tolerance policy. Non-bailable sections have been invoked, and all eight arrested persons in the Bagnan case have been sent to police custody. Charges relating to homicide have also been added,” he said.His remarks came against the backdrop of the killing of BJP supporter Prasanta Dey in Howrah’s Bagnan, where tensions escalated after villagers allegedly confronted local panchayat functionaries over corruption allegations.Adhikari said an FIR had been registered against a village panchayat deputy head and others, and that the murder investigation had been transferred to the CID. He said eight accused had already been arrested and announced financial assistance for the victim’s family, including an additional Rs 5 lakh ex gratia payment. The state would also bear the treatment costs of those injured in the incident.Adhikari also referred to the June 16 violence in Falta, where a mob allegedly attempted to storm a police station to free jailed TMC leader Jahangir Khan. Three cases have been registered and 25 people arrested so far. “An attack on a police station is an attack on the authority of the state. Those responsible must face the strictest punishment permissible under law,” he said, adding that the govt would seek compensation and attach properties of those found responsible for the violence.(With agency inputs)
