West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee challenged her political rivals to claim legitimacy over few fake WhatsApp messages. These fake posts say that Durga Puja will be banned or there will be a night curfew during those days by her government. And it appears she does not want to entertain any of it.
KOLKATA 8 SEPT: There are fake WhatsApp messages being circulated in the state, regarding state government planning to hold night curfew during Durga Puja. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday held BJP accountable for trying to create communal tension. She claimed that no such orders have been issued by the state government in this regard. And called all those rumours to be false.
Here is the screen shot of the wats app message that is going viral in social media.
After inaugurating a slew of projects on the police memorial day, Banerjee instructed the state police to strengthen the cybercrime cell of the state police. She also announced that the best police personnel who will try to make the state be safer will be well rewarded.
Banerjee challenged the opposition political party (without naming BJP), that if they can prove that state government has issued any such order, she will punish anybody responsible for such false news. But if it is proved that BJP leaders have deliberately tried to spread fake news, then they need to make those responsible do sit-ups.
“I have not taken any decision regarding the celebration of Durga Puja. I have not spoken with the puja organisers yet as a pandemic is very much on. We will make a decision after speaking with the puja organisers soon. But there’s no decision to hold a night curfew during the Durga Puja. It’s a rumour and fake news has been purportedly spread by a political party to create communal disturbance ahead of the Durga Puja. I will do sit-ups for 101 times in front of people if the West Bengal government has indeed, issued such an order. And if it is proved wrong, then those who are responsible would need to do sit-ups,” added Banerjee.
According to Banerjee, during this pandemic, several festivals such as Eid, Muharram, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami and other festivals have been celebrated at home. Although Durga Puja is one of the biggest festivals of Bengal, a decision needs to be made as in how it can be managed.
Maoist posters resurface in Jhargram: Politically-motivated activity
After 19 Maoist posters have resurfaced in Sinduria of Belpahari region in Jhargram district in the recent past, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has instructed the Superintendent of Police, and the District Magistrate to keep vigilant. She claimed that it will be proved that it is politically motivated. She is determined to prove how it has been planted to just to tarnish the image of the state government.
“Let the police investigate the case thoroughly. It is politically-motivated according to the intelligence input received by me. That is why I am asking the district police to keep vigilant in the area, as Jhargram is a bordering district,” said Banerjee.
Just a few days back at Sinduria in Belpahari region posters were found with a warning message, “Contractor Saurabh Rai stop work.” Currently, road construction work on Belpahari-Purulia main road is underway. Letters were pasted by CPI(Maoists) addressed to some individuals like Tarun Mondal, a primary school teacher, Bidyut Das demanding for a ransom by July 29. Soon after the threats, Das was found killed by goons.
Senior police officials want to ascertain the truth behind these incidents and find out whether it’s real or just fabricated. They suspect it could be anyone in the name of Maoists and therefore, nothing can be ruled out for now.
“Whether it is the work of the Maoists, or it is the work of miscreants, it needs to be investigated first. After speaking with the locals, it was found that some residents at Belpahari in Jhargram have often received threat messages through posters asking them to pay a ransom. What is the motive behind is yet to be identified. We are investigating the matter,” said a senior police officer.
A day after Independence day, as many as 10-12 handwritten Maoist posters were found in several villages of Jhargram district. The posters urged the villagers to observe Independence Day as ‘Kala Divas’.