Will give 5 officers highest state honour if Centre takes their medals away, says Mamata Banerjee

According to Ministry of Home Affairs sources, the government has decided to take stern action against five senior police officers who participated in a street protest with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

At a time the Centre is considering action against police officers who were involved in the face-off between the Kolkata Police and CBI officials, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday said her government would confer the highest state honour, if the Central government takes away medals from them.

According to Ministry of Home Affairs sources, the government has decided to take stern action against five senior police officers who participated in a street protest with Banerjee and is planning to withdraw the medals given to themA for meritorious services.

“I will give these five senior officials the highest state honour, if the Centre takes away their medals. Also, I will send a strongly-worded letter, if they send me one,” she said.

Banerjee also described the Centre’s plan as a part of “campaign” before polls, and said the Centre cannot take action against them.

“This is about campaigning. Police officers are under the state government. They (the centre) have no moral authority to say all this. They cannot take any action against my police officers. Law and order lies with the state government.