Chidambaram talks to Bengal CM over growing political violence

New Delhi, Nov 5 : Taking cognisance of the recent spurt in violence in West Bengal and rise in clashes between political opponents, Home Minister P Chidambaram today talked to Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and impressed upon him the need to maintain law and order ''whatever be the provocation''.

The urgency follows growing incidents of violence and rise in clashes between workers of the opposition Trinamool Congress (TC) and the ruling CPI(M) cadre, said sources.

Responding to a query Mr Chidambaram said, ''I did speak to the Chief Minister (Mr Bhattacherjee) and impressed upon him that whatever be the cause of the inter-party clashes, it is the duty of the state government to maintain law and order.'' Mr Chidambaram was responding to a question whether the Centre had sought any report from the state government on yesterday's clash at Hoogly's Khanakul area between TC and CPI(M) workers.

The Home Minister also added that the Centre has been in constant touch with the state government on the law and order issue and receiving updates from it from time to time.

Clashes between rival political groups in the state had increased in the wake of the forthcoming Assembly bypolls on November 7.

Elections would be held across ten Assembly constituencies.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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