Armed rallies an insult to Ram’s spirit: Mamata

PAILAN (West Bengal): Launching a scathing attack on the clashes that broke out in Purulia, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday directed the state administration to take stringent action against those who took out processions with arms and ammunition on the occasion of Ram Navami, defying the state’s stern directive. “Police should take strict action against the lawbreakers carrying arms. I am instructing the Director General of Police and all the Police Superintendents to take strong action against such rallyists. No one should be spared,” she said while addressing the administrative review meeting here on Monday afternoon.

Banerjee also questioned if power can be given to run the administration to those who have insulted Ram. “Can anyone show a photograph with Ram carrying a sword or revolver? We know that Ram used to carry bows and arrows. But the neo-interpreters of Ram are not only carrying arms like swords and revolvers but are entering areas where people from other communities live just to create panic among them. This cannot be tolerated,” she said.

The Chief Minister further added: “Some thugs got out on the streets wearing headbands and carrying swords and guns to foment trouble. This cannot happen in Bengal. Bengal has a distinctly different culture. We celebrate all kinds of festivals and rituals starting from Durga Puja to

Ramadan and Christmas but always maintain peace and harmony.”

Banerjee instructed South 24-Parganas district administration to resolve the impasse created in Bhangar and Sonakhali where a few people have raised an objection to the installation of a power grid.