‘There will be rule of law, not rule of rulers’:Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warns of strict action against extortion and political harassment

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday announced the dissolution of the Police Welfare Board, days after the arrest of senior police officer Santanu Sinha Biswas in a corruption case. Chief Minister dissolves police welfare board Speaking after a high-level meeting with police officials in Diamond Harbour, the Chief Minister said the board, formed during the Mamata Banerjee government in 2012, would be officially dissolved through a government notification on Monday. Decision follows Kolkata Police’s DC arrest Suvendu alleged that although the Police Welfare Board was created for the welfare of police personnel and their families, it later became “a branch organisation of a political party.” He claimed officers like Santanu Sinha Biswas and Bijitashwar Rout benefited from the system. Citizens asked to report political harassment The Chief Minister also announced several measures related to policing and public complaints. He said police would now strictly act under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and encouraged victims of political violence, police harassment, extortion, and corruption to file complaints at police stations. Strict warning issued against extortion networks Women allegedly denied justice earlier and beneficiaries forced to pay cut money for government schemes were also asked to approach the police. Suvendu warned of strict action against anyone extorting money from toto drivers, auto drivers and hawkers. “Now there will be rule of law, not rule of rulers,” the Chief Minister said. ​