It all started in the morning when Nandigram OC Debashish Chakrabarti alleged that Raj had molested two women from Sonachura. “I have a written complaint of the women. We will investigate the matter and take action,” said Chakraborti.
He alleged, “The CRPF personnel attacked us when we intervened to save the women, who were CPM workers, in Garupara from being harassed. I have sustained injuries on my head and right arm.”
Raj, however, denied the allegations. “The charges are fabricated and baseless. I don’t have the time to get involved in these stupid things. I have not seen the written complaint. The party (CPM) is trying to make our forces powerless,” he said. “Let there be an inquiry by an independent body. I may also approach the court for defamation,” he added.
Raj accused the police of heckling the women members of the CRPF’s patrol team. According to him, an eight-member team of women constables were patrolling in Adhikaripara when a contingent of police led by Chakrabarti, RAF and other police personnel confronted them.
“They asked them to retreat. When they refused to comply, they were heckled, assaulted, abused and beaten up. We are going to lodge an official complaint,” he said.
Constables Sunita Pandurani and Dimple Sharma were injured and the latter was admitted to Nandigram General Hospital.
Earlier in the day, Raj was allegedly abused by Haldia MP Seth.
“Around 9.30 am, he asked me to stop patrolling outside my camp and ordered me to return. The incident took place in the presence of all my subordinates and mediapersons. I will lodge an official complaint regarding this,” said Raj.
Seth, however, claimed: “ Raj is taking the law in his own hands. He should stay within his area and not interfere in the work of the state administration. He is favouring the Oppostion and threatening our party members. He has even molested our women comrades.”
Assault on Nandigram OC: Govt orders probe
The state government has ordered an inquiry into the alleged violence against the officer-in-charge (OC) of Nandigram police station, Debashish Chakrabarty, by CRPF personnel at Gokulnagar in Nandigram on Sunday. Chakrabarty was allegedly beaten up by CRPF personnel when he objected to the checking of the electoral photo identity cards at the polling booths.
“I have heard about it (the incident). If such an incident has happened then it was unfortunate, as the OC was only doing his duty. We have asked IG (Western Range) Rakesh Gupta to investigate the matter,” said Home Secretary Asok Mohan Chakrabarti.
He added, “The CRPF is not supposed to take any action.” In reply to a question, Chakrabarti said that a probe will be ordered to see if there was any overlap in the duties of the CRPF and the police.
Regarding the complaint of molestation against CRPF DIG Alok Raj, Chakrabarti said: “So many complaints are pouring in. But our primary concern is to finish the poll process first. All the complaints will be looked into later,” he said.
When asked about the spat between CPM MP Lakshman Seth and CRPF DIG Alok Raj, Chakrabarti said he had seen it on the TV. “An MP is not supposed to give instructions to the police, but we have to see whether it was an instruction or a request,” said Chakrabarti.