The situation in the state is a manifestation of “law of ruler” instead of “rule of law” : NHRC

Making sharp observations about the post-poll violence in West Bengal in May, a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel said that the situation in the state is a manifestation of “law of ruler” instead of “rule of law”. The observations were part of a report submitted by the panel to the Calcutta high court on July 13.

In its report, the NHRC panel has recommended a CBI probe into the “grievous offences like murder and rape” which allegedly took place during the post-poll violence and said the trial should be held outside the state.

The report strongly criticised the Mamata Banerjee-led state government for allegedly failing to stem the political violence that erupted after the Trinamool Congress’s victory in the assembly elections.

“The spatio-temporal expanse of violent incidents in Bengal reflect appalling apathy of the state government towards the plight of victims,” the panel said in its report.

It further observed the incidents represent a larger picture of organized violence by supporters of the ruling party in retribution against people who dared to support the other major party which lost the elections in the state.