Bengal Governor’s peace meet moots fair enforcement of law & order

Kolkata, June 13 (IANS) A meeting called by West Bengal Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi on Thursday with four political parties to create a harmonious situation in the state reached a six-point consensus including a "fair enforcement" on law and order situation.

State Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, state BJP Vice President Jay Prakash Mazumdar, state Congress Chief Somen Mitra and CPI-M politburo member Mohammad Salim attended the meeting.

Emerging out of the Raj Bhavan, Majumdar claimed the Governor came up with a set of suggestions, but the representative of the ruling Trinamool Congress said he could not endorse it before talking to Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banereje.

Later, a Raj Bhavan press release said among the set of points on which the consensus was reached are: Democratic institutions, values and rights should be protected and there should be fair enforcement of the law and order; that violence should be stopped as the only loser due to violence is the state as a whole; that peace and harmony should be restored and thereafter, maintained in the society; the media should also make positive contribution for maintaining peace in the state

It also suggested that no provocative speeches should be made by anyone; democratic and social fibre of West Bengal should not be disturbed and instead, efforts should be made to maintain it.

The Governor felt that all the "political parties should adopt a constructive approach for the welfare of the state and its people", and he appealed to the people to work united for peace and harmony consistent with the culture and traditions of West Bengal.

The Governor's office said the leaders of the political parties expressed their views "frankly and in detail about how to ensure peace and harmony in the state" during the meeting.

Majumdar appreciated Tripathi's initiative and said his party would support any step that would stop the ongoing violence and bring peace.

However, he said the very fact the Governor had to convene the meeting proved there was no peace in the state.

Chatterjee, did not speak to the media.

Salim alleged the Trinamool and BJP were trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the state and it is unsafe for the state as both the parties are interpreting the incidents on communal lines.

"Usually, meetings at this level are cordial but what is happening at the street level or at the villages? Even doctors are not feeling safe. Instead of this meeting, the Chief Minister should have convened an all-party meeting," he said.

While appreciating the Governor's initiative to convene the meeting with four major parties, he said all the political parties should be called in such deliberations.

During the meeting, Mitra said, "Violence should be stopped immediately and harmony must be restored".

"Both the BJP, which is in power at the Centre and the Trinamool, which rules the state should be responsible to bring peace. The Governor sought suggestions from us on what should be done to stop violence and bring peace during the meeting," he said.

The meeting with leaders was convened over the issue of post-poll violence and to create a situation where peace and harmony prevails in the state.

The move came after Tripathi met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday and apprised them of the situation in the state.

Chief Minister Banerjee has accused Tripathi of misquoting the number of dead in the post-poll violence in the state and claimed eight people, out of 10, from her party had been killed in clashes after the recent general election.