Centre's concern on Bengal situation 'unaddressed'

By Vinay Kumar

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 15. While expressing grave concern over continued political violence in certain parts of West Bengal, the Centre today rejected the contention of the State Government that the report of the Defence Minister, Mr. George Fernandes, on violence in the State was politically motivated.

In an eight-page letter faxed to the West Bengal Chief Minister, Mr. Jyoti Basu, late tonight, the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K. Advani, said the Centre's ``principal concern about continued political violence in the State has remained largely unaddressed.'' Mr. Advani's reply, accompanied by a list of 33 incidents of violence and political clashes in the State since June, was in response to the letter of Mr. Basu received at the North Block on Wednesday. Official sources said the Chief Minister received the fax in Bolpur late tonight.

Mr. Advani asked the State Government to take firm steps to bring down the violence and revive the public confidence in its effectiveness and neutrality.

Pointing out that Home Ministry's information was based on official reports and did not emanate from political sources, the letter said that Mr. Fernandes' report ``only confirms what was being reported continuously over a period of time by our official agencies. The Defence Minister's report contains specifics of persons interviewed, injuries observed, houses ransacked.''

Rubbishing the claim of the State Government that it had taken effective steps to tighten law and order situation, the Home Minister said: ``If the State administration is taking effective steps to control the violence, there is very little evidence thereof by way of results.''

The tone and tenor of Mr. Advani's detailed communication was that of confronting the State Government with specifics and putting up facts and resume of serious incidents which have occurred in the State during the last three-and-a-half months. It said that in Midnapore district in August alone there were 59 political clashes.

Asserting that the Centre was speaking largely of political violence and not law and order in general, Mr. Advani observed: ``The graph of political clashes and related violence has been steadily rising in parts of West Bengal, and specially in those districts where the political alliance opposed to the ruling coalition has been gaining ground, and has worsted the ruling party in elections. It is significant that there has been a sharp spurt in political violence after the Panskura by-poll on June 5. This kind of violence and that too on this scale is unprecedented. This is worrisome because it spells a grave danger for democracy.''

Further on the visit of Mr. Fernandes, the letter suggested that the cause of the State Government would have been better served if it had placed its version before the Defence Minister rather than making political insinuations. ``In any case, Mr. Fernandes has given a factual report and his own assessment of the situation on the ground which you were at liberty to dispute or refute. The fact that you have chosen not to do so speaks for itself, and for a justified inference being drawn that his assessment is correct.''

Pointing out that several representations have been received by the Centre on the law and order situation in West Bengal, the letter sought to apprise the Chief Minister of the Centre's concern which was based on official reports and representations from diverse sources and that these concerns have not been satisfactorily dealt with by the Left Front government.

Taking note of Mr. Basu's observation that public order was a prime concern of the State Government, Mr. Advani said: ``this duty has not just to be recognised but also fulfilled effectively and convincingly.''

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