Even as West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar went ahead with his proposed visit to Cooch Behar villages to see for himself the plight of the victims of post-election violence, Trinamool Congress workers tried to block his convoy, thus adding substance to allegations that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is hell bent upon continuing with her politics challenging the federal spirit. Unmindful of the resistance, Governor Dhankhar completed his day’s agenda and found himself confronted by wailing victims of untold post-poll violence. Expressing his ire on the developments the Governor tweeted, “At Cooch Behar. Visited several affected areas. Distressed at grim scenario.

 

After listening to tales of sorrow no tears left in my eyes. Never imagined severity of post-poll retributive violence @Mamataofficial was much beyond. One is made to pay with life and rights for voting!” The Governor began his eventful day by claiming that people, who cast their votes as per their choice, are being subjected to attacks in West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday said, “While the country is facing the COVID crisis, the State is grappling with the twin challenges of the pandemic and the post-poll violence.”

 

He said the Mamata Banerjee Government must ensure that everyone who took the law into their hands must be brought to justice. The Governor was shown black flags at Sitalkuchi, where four villagers died after firing by central forces during the elections, while “go back” slogans were raised at Dinhata during his visit to Cooch Behar district to meet people affected in post-poll violence. An agitated Dhankhar came out of his car at Dinhata and reprimanded police officials for not acting to prevent slogan-shouting protesters, who numbered around 15 and had assembled with posters saying “BJP’s Governor go back”. “I am shocked, this is total collapse of rule of law, I could never imagine such a thing could happen,” he told reporters. Police officials chased the protesters away from the spot.

 

“I have seen fear in the eyes of people and they are afraid to go to the police station to file complaints,” Dhankhar said about his interaction with people in the villages. The Governor visited Mathabhanga, Sitalkuchi, Sitai and Dinhata and talked to people who have suffered attacks at the hands of ruling Trinamool Congress supporters after election results were announced on May 2. Dhankhar, who visited several households at the four places, said “homes have been looted and even ornaments kept for girl’s marriage, utensils and other items for ‘shradh’ were taken away.” “History will judge Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister. History will also judge Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Governor, and it will judge the bureaucracy and the media,” Dhankhar said, interacting with the media. BJP MP Nisith Pramanik accompanied the Governor during his visit to the areas, where the party has claimed loot and attack on its workers. Some women wailed and fell to the feet of the Governor claiming that all their belongings were looted and that the men of their families had fled their homes to escape attacks.