Mamata Rejects Farmer Status for Small Tea Growers, Warns Against Tax Hike

Mamata Banerjee asked some tough questions to the DGP on the functioning of local police and also supported the protest against expansion of eco-sensitive zone

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE SILIGURI, 22 MAY

During her three-day visit to Siliguri, chief minister Mamata Banerjee did not shy away from making sharp observations and taking firm decisions. While addressing various official programmes, she revealed some uncomfortable truths and responded to multiple demands and controversies.

At the administrative meeting, the chief minister said: "I knew political leaders often engage in factionalism, but I wasn't aware that such a culture existed within the police too." She questioned the superintendent of police in Cooch Behar about why a senior officer had been sidelined at headquarters without any assignment.

Expressing her dissatisfaction with the current state of policing, she said: "Officers no longer perform their duties as before. There was a time when they would dominate areas through regular patrolling."

Addressing director general of police Rajeev Kumar, she added: "My tongue is getting worn out repeating the same thing over and over again."