West Bengal Governor visits violence-hit Cooch Behar district

West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday visited the areas affected by post-poll violence in Cooch Behar district. Earlier, on Wednesday chief minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Dhankhar claiming that his planned visit violates norms.

Kolkata (West Bengal):West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday visited the areas affected by post-poll violence in Cooch Behar district.

Dhankhar reached Coochbehar airport at around 12:30 p.m. to visit the violence-affected areas in Sitalkuchi.

On May 14, he will visit camps in Assam where some people from West Bengal have reportedly taken refuge due to the skirmishes.

On Wednesday chief minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to Dhankhar claiming that his planned visit to the violence-affected district violates norms, while the Governor hit back saying he is discharging duties mandated by the Constitution.

In her letter, Banerjee also alleged that Dhankhar, exceeding his power, has been directly communicating with state government officers and dictating them, though she had earlier requested him to refrain from doing so.

Soon after receiving the letter, Dhankhar wrote back saying that he has been following the Constitution since taking oath as the Governor and his visit to Cooch Behar was to share the pain and agony of the people suffering from post-poll violence.

"(The) Constitution mandates me under Article 159 that I will do the best of my ability preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well being of the people of West Bengal. I would do all that is expected out of my oath and constitution," Dhankhar said.

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The Chief Minister, in her letter, referred to the 'Manual of Protocol and Ceremonials' of the home department of the state government, which says that visits of Governors are finalized by the secretary of the Governor after obtaining the orders of the government.

In the strongly-worded letter, Dhankhar said, "I am appalled that a leader of your stature should be even contemplating that a Governor has to obtain orders of the Government."

He said that he cannot persuade himself to subscribe to the stance reflected in the Chief Minister's communication.

"This is time to address the issues being faced by the people in deep distress. I can assure you of my fullest cooperation within the constitutional parameters," he added.

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Banerjee also referred to her letter written to Dhankhar on September 26 last year, in which she had urged him to "refrain from surpassing the Chief Minister and her Council of Ministers and communicating with and dictating the State officials in excess of your power under the Constitution and directing them to attend before you".

The Chief Minister alleged that the governor is "steadily ignoring" this advice.

At least 16 people, mainly from the BJP and the TMC, have been killed in post-poll violence in West Bengal and most of the killings were reported till May 3 when the law and order were under the Election Commission, Banerjee said.

Political clashes also left a number of people injured in the state since the results of the assembly elections were announced on May 2, when the TMC returned to power in a landslide victory.

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(Inputs from agency)