West Bengal CM Mamata dismisses Katwa gangrape claim

Kolkata, Feb 28 (ANI): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today denied reports that a woman was gangraped on a train at Katwa in Burdwan district, and said strict action would be taken against those who disrupt the law and order situation in the state.

"I have heard that a political party is trying to fabricate rape cases against their party workers. I wonder if the political values of such parties have eroded. I got a message that there have been six rapes and some killings in Noida. There has been some such news from Delhi today. I believe that there should no such cases in Bengal, as it is a cultured place," Banerjee told the media here.

"And those who are staging these dramas through 'Harmads' (armed CPI-M cadres), if there is any truth in such incidents, and if the police fail to swing into action swiftly, then the government will take appropriate action. The government will ensure that justice is delivered on time," she added.

A woman was allegedly gang-raped after she tried to put up a resistance during a robbery attempt in a train near Katwa in West Bengal's Burdwan District.

Describing the shutdown called by the CPI-M and other leftist outfits earlier in the day to be a failure, Banerjee said: "I have stated that I shall look into any kind of problem faced by anyone. People who are trying to created havoc in other's lives by indulging in hooliganism, stone pelting and burning, will be dealt firmly by the law in the best ways possible."

A large number of workers in India went on strike earlier in the day, to express their anger at soaring prices and to back demands for improved rights for employees, trade unions and political activists.

Banerjee said that strikes tend to adversely affect the people at large and they should not reoccur.

"When five to seven people block a road in the name of shutdown, they do not understand the kind of problems faced by the people. They create problems in all the places possible. I wish that this destructive culture of shutdown should end from today onwards. Nobody should have the courage to call any more shutdowns," she said.

Banerjee further said that the workers were not at fault as the political parties were the ones who incited them to strike.

"There is no fault of the workers. The fault lies with some politicians who force them to do so. The workers are good and they proved this by giving 100 percent attendance at work today. The work culture, which had eroded earlier, has once again been restored in the state. Our officers and employees are all very happy and I am also very happy," said Banerjee.

"Very small incidents have occurred where they tried to light up flames and launch attacks with guns or indulged in stone pelting. The police have performed its duty in maintaining law and order. If I want then thousands of Trinamool Congress workers can come down and handle the situation. If the CPI-M is one percent then we are 90 percent here," she added. (ANI)

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