'TMC's Frontal Organisation': Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Dissolves Police Welfare Board

The West Bengal government on Saturday dissolved the Police Welfare Board, with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari saying the body had moved away from its original purpose and was no longer working for the welfare of police personnel.

The decision was announced after Adhikari chaired an administrative review meeting at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas district. The chief minister said maintaining law and order remained a priority for his government and warned that attacks on police personnel would not be tolerated.

“Earlier, there was the law of the rulers; now there is the rule of the law,” Adhikari said while outlining the government’s approach to policing and administration.

Explaining the decision to dissolve the Board, Adhikari said it was

formed with good intentions but later became politically driven.

“The Police Welfare Board was constituted with a good intention. But eventually, it became a party’s frontal organisation. I do not know how that helped in the welfare of the police, but it became a place for getting illegal extension (of employment). There are people who have personally benefited. Today, we are dissolving the Board,” he said.

The chief minister also announced relief measures for women police personnel. He said women officers would be given preference for postings within their home districts to help them manage professional and family responsibilities.

During the meeting, Adhikari directed police officials to strengthen vigilance along the riverine stretches of the India-Bangladesh border and increase surveillance in vulnerable areas to prevent infiltration.

Reiterating the government’s stand against extortion, the chief minister said illegal collection of money from auto-rickshaw and toto drivers must stop immediately. He said police would examine complaints and take action where required.

“The police will examine complaints and take action accordingly,” he said while urging people to report incidents of extortion.

“If anyone is involved in extortion, report it,” Adhikari added.

Senior administrative and police officials from across the state attended the meeting virtually, where district-level administrative and law-and-order issues were reviewed.

(With PTI inputs)