In his report, he suggested a slew of measures, including setting up an inquiry commission and outposts of central forces in districts bordering Bangladesh
West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose has submitted a report on the recent riots in Murshidabad district to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, mentioning that the “twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy” poses a serious challenge to the state.
In his report, he suggested a slew of measures, including setting up an inquiry commission and outposts of central forces in districts bordering Bangladesh, besides writing, “needless to add, the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution also remain”.
Asked about the mention of “the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution” in the report, an official told PTI, “The governor has not proposed for implementation of Article 356. He meant to say that the provisions of Article 356 of the Constitution are open to the Centre if the situation in the state further deteriorates.” The imposition of Article 356 of the Constitution refers to the President’s rule in a state.
The governor also expressed apprehension about a “spillover” of the Murshidabad violence to other districts of the state and recommended that the central government should consider “constitutional options to put a check on the current situation besides generating confidence of people in the rule of law”.
“The twin spectre of radicalisation and militancy poses a serious challenge for West Bengal, especially in two of the several districts sharing an international border with Bangladesh, viz., Murshidabad and Malda. In both these districts, there is an adverse demographic composition with Hindus being minorities. Another district, viz., Uttar Dinajpur, has a plurality,” Mr Bose mentioned in his report, a copy of which is with PTI.
The governor suggested several measures in the aftermath of violence that claimed the lives of at least three people, including a man and his son, and left several injured. The riot occurred amid anti-Waqf (Amendment) Act protests.
“Formulating an overarching legislation to empower the Union Government to maintain law and order when the state machinery fails to act effectively. Appointing a commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, to look into the reported acts of omission and commission as indicated above and to suggest measures to prevent such incidents in future and needless to add, the provisions under Article 356 of the Constitution also remain,” the report mentioned.
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