The West Bengal Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor Alapan Bandyopadhyay and ADG (Law and Order) Manoj Verma on Tuesday announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh and jobs for the families of those killed in mob lynching incidents. The state government has promised strict action against mob lynching in Bengal.
Addressing a press conference at Nabanna, Alapan Bandyopadhyay said, “Some recent incidents have come to the state government’s notice. The police administration has been asked to remain alert and take legal action. The general public should also be alert and aware. The events are tragic. In such cases, compensation is not enough. The affected families will be given a job as a home guard and financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh per family.”
Recently, there have been several incidents of mob lynching in different parts of the state. Innocent people have been beaten on suspicion of kidnapping or theft, resulting in several deaths. Nabanna has directed the police in all districts to crack down on mob lynching. Additional Director General of Police (ADG) Manoj Verma said, “All superintendents of police and commissioners of police have been directed to take strict action as per the law if anyone violates the law.”
Earlier, guidelines were established in 2019 to prevent such incidents. The ADG stated that these guidelines have been resent to all district superintendents of police and commissioners of police. The ADG also asked the police to focus on surveillance and increased communication with the public.
Kolkata’s Bowbazar is among the places where mob lynching deaths have been reported in the last few days. A young man was allegedly beaten to death on suspicion of being a mobile thief at Udayan Hostel. There were also lynching deaths in Jhargram, Kalna, and Gaighata. Many people were injured in several other incidents. The police have already identified and arrested the accused in all these cases. Despite this, such incidents have not ceased.