Mamata Banerjee cracks down on corruption in Bengal Police: Don’t spare anyone

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday pulled up the state’s top cop over allegations of corruption in the lower ranks of the police force.
In a meeting with the top officials of the state, Banerjee directed West Bengal’s Director General of Police (DGP), Rajeev Kumar, that no official or political leader, facing corruption charges, should be spared from legal action.
“Local police are not helping. Everyone blames netas (political leaders). They think ten times before taking a bribe. Some lower-level officers, including police, are taking bribes. Be it coal or cement smuggling. There are so many stones lying. Why is the land department sitting idle? All illegal mining has to be stopped,” Banerjee said at the meeting.
Mamata Banerjee also directed the top cop to arrest central paramilitary personnel if they are caught taking bribes or being involved in cases related to corruption linked to coal pilfering.
“If CISF personnel are taking the money, you can be arrested. I won’t tolerate it. If a politician is doing it arrest him legally. I don’t need money, I will go and ask people. Don’t leave anyone,” Mamata said.
“Some people think someone will save them, but I won’t. I will reshuffle CID. Whosoever has allegations against them, action has to be taken. Don’t spare anyone,” she added.
The sharp remark by Mamata Banerjee came after leaders from both the Trinamool Congress and BJP slammed the police over the recent incidents in the state.
Banerjee also directed the police to maintain a high degree of alertness on both national and international borders to stop the smuggling of fake currencies and arms in the state.
“I am telling the police to be alert. Fake currency is coming through international borders, and it’s under central, and they are not doing much. Our internal borders need to be on alert, naka checking has to be active. Arms are coming through the railway, checking has to happen as well. RPF has to check” said Banerjee.
She also questioned the BSF and CISF over checking the identity of the people who are entering using fake passports.
“Border security is under central (government), they have to work well, we will give cooperation. How will I check if one is entering with a fake passport or not? CISF checks Airports, not I,” Mamata said.