CBI-police face off

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday lashed out at the Central Bureau of Investigation after it attempted a raid at the residence of Kolkata Commissioner of Police Rajeev Kumar over allegations that he had a role to play in the chit fund scams that plague the Trinamool Congress government in the state.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah of carrying out a witch-hunt against the state government, she said: “This is a witch-hunt by the BJP government and Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.

They (BJP) are using brute physical force to destabilise West Bengal. They have compromised on all ethics of politics,” Mamata Banerjee said. “Whenever an election comes close, the BJP does these antics around chit fund scams.”

“I am going to stage a dharna to save the federal structure. From today, I’m going to sit near the Metro Channel. Tomorrow proceedings in the State Assembly will take place where I will hold a meeting. This dharna means satyagraha,” the CM told mediapersons.

Taking pride in the state police force, Mamata said that she will stand by her force. “We respect central agencies. But this is unconstitutional. I am deeply hurt by this act. This is an attack on the federal structure of the country. I believe Rajeev Kumar is a man of honour… I am proud to say that my responsibility is to give protection to the force,” the West Bengal CM said.

Banerjee accused the BJP of “torturing” West Bengal. “They are forcibly trying to destroy Bengal just because I did the anti-BJP rally at Brigade Parade Grounds last month. A scuffle also reportedly broke out between the state police force and the CBI team after they raided the Commissioner of Police's residence. The Kolkata Police sought a warrant from the CBI team and failure of which led to the adverse measures.