Making a big accusation, Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that Delhi Police was intimidating and harassing people from Bengal who had come to the national capital for living.
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Ahead of the meeting with CEC , Mamata Banerjee visited Banga Bhawan in Delhi, alleging that people from Bengal were being intimidated by Delhi Police. She said families affected by SIR had been brought to the capital to seek justice and were now facing pressure.
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West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in the national capital on Monday amid her ongoing tussle with the Election Commission and found herself in a face-off with Delhi Police outside Banga Bhavan. Voicing her protest, Mamata said, โWe came here for justice,โ and warned that โsuch threats cannot continue.โMamata is scheduled to meet chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar at the Election Commission headquarters later in the day. The visit comes amid mounting political tension over the poll bodyโs ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise.
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When the Home Minister comes to Bengal, we give him the red carpet. But when we come to Delhi, you give us the black carpetโฆ Please restrain yourself from the atrocities, from the torture of the Bengal people who have lost their lives,โ she said. Reacting to Mamata Banerjee and Trinamool Congressโs allegations, Delhi Police said that security personnel have been deployed purely as a preventive measure to maintain law and order.
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They are torturing Bengalโs people. I will not tell anything to Delhi Police because they are working under orders,โ Mamata said, adding that sufferers would speak directly to the media. She announced a press conference for the next day in which affected families would narrate their experiences. According to Trinamool Congress, nearly 30 families were staying at Banga Bhawan on Hailey Road, while around 100 families were housed across two Banga Bhawan facilities.
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On camera, Mamata was seen confronting Delhi Police personnel deployed outside Banga Bhawan. โWhy are you here? Why are you threatening our people? They have come to seek justice. The Chief Minister questioned why families from Bengal could not come to Delhi and speak to the media despite having appointments. โWe came here with an appointment. Reacting to Mamata Banerjeeโs claim, the Delhi Police sources told India Today that thereโs no restriction of movement for anyone at any of the Banga Bhawans.
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In a media statement, TMC said Mamataโs sudden visit was prompted by โheavy Delhi Police deployment outside Banga Bhawan since morning to restrict our movement and create an environment of intimidation and surveillance.โ The party said the chief minister also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the role of Delhi Police. It is sad that the Centre has deployed forces outside both our Banga Bhawans. People whose family members died due to SIR are now being guarded,โ Mamata said.