Governor C.V. Ananda Bose, after requesting a report from the West Bengal government on measures taken to maintain law and order following alleged communal tensions in Murshidabad district’s Beldanga, stated on Tuesday that he is also receiving updates from intelligence agencies and hearing representations from various individuals.
Reportedly, communal tensions flared in Beldanga last Saturday on the occasion of Kartik Puja. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was imposed in the area for 24 hours. Additionally, internet services were also suspended. So far, the police have arrested 17 individuals in connection with the violence.
“What is happening there is very sensitive,” said Governor Bose during a media interaction at the Raj Bhavan on the completion of two years as the constitutional head of West Bengal. “I have already asked for information from the government on what the government is doing. I am also getting information from intelligence agencies.”
Describing himself as the ‘ground-zero governor’, he said the peace room in Raj Bhavan has given people the confidence to reach out to him via phone calls and e-mails with complaints of violence and atrocities. Governor Bose claimed people could also come directly to Raj Bhavan to meet him.
“During the panchayat election violence, I visited hospitals where victims were admitted. I went to homes where there was a casualty,” he said. “I am open to suggestions by the public. They can consider the governor’s office as a place where they can come confidently with their complaints.”
Governor Bose noted that maintaining law and order falls under the purview of the state government, and he ensures that complaints he receives are brought to the state’s attention. On the other hand, he also highlighted that Article 167 of the Indian Constitution empowers him to seek information from the Chief Minister regarding the state’s administration and legislative proposals.
According to the article, the Chief Minister is required to provide any information requested by the Governor. However, Governor Bose called the West Bengal government irregular in this regard, stating that he rarely receives reports and only gets them occasionally “when I try to put my foot down”.
Overall, he described his relationship with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as good, and he hopes to make it even better by overcoming the "dark clouds" that overshadowed their “sweet” relationship during his second year as governor.