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WB post-poll violence: NCW takes suo motu cognisance of attacks on women

A team of the National Commission for Women (NCW) headed by its chairperson, Rekha Sharma, will visit West Bengal to investigate attacks on women during the post-poll violence seen in the State.

A statement issued by the NCW said that it was taking suo motu cognisance of such attacks after videos were shared on Twitter of women being beaten up in Nandigram.

“The Commission is deeply perturbed and has viewed this incident seriously as it concerns the safety and security of women in the State,” the statement added.

Rekha Sharma, the chairperson of NCW. File

On May 3, BJP leaders Kailash Vijayvargiya and Sambit Patra shared videos of the party office in Nandigram being ransacked as well as women supporters of the party being physically assaulted. The Commission has also written to DGP West Bengal to investigate instances of violence and arrest the accused persons.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called up West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar and expressed serious anguish over reports of post poll violence in the State. Various political parties, including the BJP, the CPI(M) and the Congress have alleged that their cadre were being attacked by victorious Trinamool Congress members.

CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury also condemned the violence, tweeting, “Are these reports of gruesome violence in Bengal TMC’s ‘victory celebrations’? Condemnable. Will be resisted and rebuffed. Instead of focusing on combating the pandemic TMC unleashes such mayhem. CPI(M), as always will be with the people to protect, assist, providing relief.”

Congress in charge of West Bengal Jitin Prasada said, “The post poll violence that has been unleashed by the TMC on the Congress workers is unacceptable. Even women and children are not spared. I’m sure the people of West Bengal did not vote for this lawlessness.”

BJP president J.P. Nadda is expected to visit the homes of the party cadre who have allegedly been victims of violence.

The Trinamool Congress leadership rubbished the allegations as baseless and false. TMC leader Firhad Hakim said that the BJP is trying to spread a false narrative when in certain places it is the TMC supporters who are at the receiving end of the violence.