By Sreejaya Chatterjee

Protecting the police force from political manipulations, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee gave cops a free hand to split open on the state’s roaring syndicate industry and curb the growth of extortion mafia.

The CM’s instructions at a meeting with police in Nabanna resulted in quick action on the ground with another five members of the Rajarhat, New Town, Salt Lake syndicate mafia being taken into confinement within hours. This takes the total number of syndicate related arrests in the belt to 45.

The clampdown had started with the arrest of Trinamool Congress councillor Anindya Chatterjee on 12^th July, 2016 specifying the CM’s zero endurance for antisocial elements in her second term. On 11^th July  she held a meeting with DGP Surajit Kar Purkayastha and the chiefs of all five commissionerates to reite rate her message. The continuous terror attacks in Bangladesh and the gushing crossborder terror links, sources said, only acted as a catalyst.

The CM’s instructions to the police chiefs also brought an end a lingering doubt in the party and

administrative ranks that having sent out a message with Chatterjee’s arrest, cops would return to  their clumsy, inept approach in dealing with ruling party leaders. Mamata Banerjee had earlier spoken out against syndicates, but it never got executed into action on the ground. This time, however, the CM indicated, it is going to be somewhat different. Directives are clear as she has ordered not to spare anyone guilty. A thorough and in-depth investigation of all complaints regarding extortion and syndicate business is to be done, according to the orders of the CM.

Tags: Mamata BanerjeePoliticspolitics of bengalTrinamoolwest bengal