Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday instructed police to act
tough on those grabbing government land, running illegal parking lots and allowing
unauthorised constructions and said no one should be spared.

“Government land is being grabbed. I am instructing the chief secretary (to find out). Police must investigate. Ram, Shyam, Jadu Madhu, jei hok. Aami holey amakeo chaarben na (Be it Ram, Shyam, Jadu, Madhu. Even if it’s me, I shouldn’t be spared),” she said at Nabanna.

Several times during a televised meeting, Mamata expressed her lack of confidence in the police’s role, like in dealing with unauthorised and illegal structures. Mamata, also the state’s home minister, said such structures should be immediately identified and those involved in the construction arrested.

“Kayekta-ke arrest korun (Arrest a few). Start with my house. Why should I allow illegal things to happen? MP, MLA, district magistrates, inspectors in charge — no one should be spared,” Mamata said.

“Illegal construction cholchhey toh cholchheyi (illegal construction is going
on and on). It has become a habit for a few. Some ICs (inspectors in charge of police stations) think they can make money.... Enough of all this. Please, enough,” Mamata
said.

The chief minister made it clear that she was aware of the city’s changing landscape and that a section of the police were responsible.

“A new officer-in-charge takes over and there are more encroachments. Aami aar koto dekhbo (How much will I oversee?),” Mamata said. “I get to see every time I go out. But the police can’t see. They have blinkers on them and think no one will get to see.”

The chief minister referred to a recent clash between two groups over illegal parking outside Shalimar railway station in Howrah.

Several vehicles were damaged as two groups fought allegedly over territorial rights, leaving at least eight persons injured. The first team of police was outnumbered and an additional contingent had to be sent.

“There was a clash in Shalimar over parking and extortion rights. The money goes to the pockets of some individuals. Why should the government take the blame? Aami ekhaney kauke pushtey aashini (I am not here to patronise any individual),” Mamata said.

The chief minister went on to say how any conflict or trouble could be resolved immediately if the police played an effective role. But people take advantage when the police are weak.

The Howrah police commissioner, Praveen Kumar Tripathi, did not comment saying he was on leave. “I’m out of station on leave,” Tripathi told Metro.

Senior officers of the Howrah police commissionerate said a case was drawn up after the June 16 clash outside Shalimar railway station.

Four persons have been arrested.

“Some of those allegedly involved in the clash were Trinamool supporters,” saidan officer.

Aware of the alleged involvement of her party’s workers, Mamata gave clear instructions to the police. “Don’t listen to anyone. You don’t have to bother about which party, MLA or MP is involved. Do your job responsibly,” she said.

Mamata blamed a section of the cops for handing over “cut money” from the transportation of cattle, sand and stone chips on overloaded trucks. “I have been quite decent till now. Those who won’t do their job will be removed,” shesaid.

Mamata also criticised the police for unauthorised parking. “Autorickshaws, totos (e-rickshaws) remain parked blocking roads and resulting in traffic snarls and accidents. The police turn a blind eye. When I raise a point, they organise ‘Safe Drive, Save Life’ campaign for a week and then go to sleep.”

Kolkata Police commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal did not answer calls or respond to text messages from Metroon Monday.