West Bengal post-poll violence victims have filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court disputing the state government’s claim that law and order was restored soon after Mamata Banerjee’s government took power on May 3, adding that they continue to face “hostile attitude.”
The violence, which was allegedly orchestrated by members of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), erupted soon after the assembly election results were announced on May 2. Several Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) political workers have been killed, their homes looted, and allegations of rape and torture have been levelled.
The petitioners, led by social activist Arun Mukherjee, filed a response to the state’s affidavit on Monday, attaching affidavits of victims and copies of their complaints to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
According to the West Bengal government’s affidavit, all displaced people referred in the apex court’s public interest litigation were safely returned to their respective homes with the help of state authorities. It called the petitioners’ allegations “misleading” and “politically motivated.” It also mentioned the high court’s formation of a three-member committee to look into the issues facing displaced people.
“The claims made by the respondents (West Bengal government and police) with regard to the status of internally displaced persons (IDP) are misleading,” the petitioners said in their affidavit. They (IDPs) returned to their homes after the Governor of West Bengal requested it and relying on a Calcutta High Court order, but they are facing the vindictive and hostile attitude of the local police, administration, and Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons.”
“Pavements to their homes are blocked, houses are vandalised, and ration and other essential items are denied to them by local shopkeepers and marketplaces due to the threat of TMC goons,” the victims claimed. They also complained of being unable to access health facilities and medicines as a result of “forced social ostracization” by local hooligans.
