Suvendu Adhikari warns attackers of police: 'They will end up behind bars'

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned on Saturday that anyone who raises a hand against the police “will end up behind bars”, as his government announced a large recruitment drive for the force.

Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Adhikari pointed to the vandalism of police outposts in Asansol. “In Asansol, they vandalised police outposts; we ensured they paid the price,” he said. He added that anyone who dares to attack the police would be taught a lesson through legal channels, and that state lawyers, working with the police, would see that suspects are tried while in custody. The report did not say when the Asansol incident took place or how many people were arrested.

Recruitment and manpower

Adhikari said the state has about 105 police personnel per 100,000 people, which he called one of the lowest ratios in the country. He said 29,000 police appointments are under way, with 131 Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspector posts to be filled in December and 4,000 constables in January. He credited the push to the clearing of legal hurdles over the OBC and EWS categories. The state has also asked the Centre for two more Indian Reserve Battalions, which await central approval.

Opposition charge

The warning came on a day the Trinamool Congress accused the police of failing to stop an alleged attack on Abhishek Banerjee’s Kolkata residence at around 2 am on Saturday. TMC MP Kirti Azad claimed the police escorted the attackers instead of arresting them. West Bengal minister Dilip Ghosh rejected the allegations. The claims have not been independently confirmed.

The exchange adds to the sharp political contest over law and order in the state, with the government promising firm action against attacks on the force and the opposition alleging bias in how the police act.