Mamata requests that ministers monitor attempts to disturb the peace during Muharram

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday instructed her Cabinet colleagues to keep a watch on the law and order-related events after expressing concern that there would be efforts to disturb peace in West Bengal during the impending Muharram festivities, an official said.

Banerjee called a Cabinet meeting and urged everyone to be vigilant so that no false information spreads and leads to disturbance in the state on July 29 during Muharram.

“The CM voiced her concern that a political party would attempt to circulate false information or videos during Muharram festivities in order to stir up disturbance in the state. The ministers have been urged to remain vigilant by her. She hasn’t mentioned any particular location, the official added. The chief minister also urged her ministers to observe “Adivasi Day” on August 9 and give attention to areas with a high tribal population.

In addition to filling vacancies in several other ministries including health and personnel, the state Cabinet approved the hiring of 2,500 constables for the Kolkata Police, according to finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharya. “This recruitment will be done transparently through the Police Recruitment Board,” Bhattacharya said.

The suggestion to give preference to young people from the state’s tribal regions in the recruitment of constables was also approved by the Cabinet, she said, adding that a notice will also be issued in this respect.

According to Bhattacharya, the government has also accepted the request to hire 5,468 persons as community health officers under the health department. The state Cabinet has given the go-ahead for setting up housing societies for journalists in neighborhoods that are comparable to those in the city.