Purulia MP Jyotirmay Singh Mahato has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking intervention in what he says is the “flawed system of recruiting volunteers” in West Bengal.
Mahato’s letter raises fears about the state’s practice of recruiting community volunteers instead of regular police officers, a practice he says harms both public safety and job opportunities for young job seekers.
In his letter, Mahato said the continued recruitment of community volunteers – coupled with the permanent suspension of police recruitment – is having adverse effects on West Bengal’s security environment.
“The West Bengal government, under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has been insisting on hiring community volunteers on a contract basis, thereby undermining the normal police recruitment process. The Supreme Court has recently raised serious concerns about this issue in the RG Kar Hospital case, urging the state government to disclose the procedures to recruit community volunteers,” the letter reads.
Mahato also raised the court’s concerns about handing over law enforcement responsibilities to people who may have political ties to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
He also noted that the Calcutta High Court had earlier criticized the West Bengal government’s reliance on community volunteers instead of full-time conscription.
The court pointed out that most of these volunteers do not have the necessary training and accountability, leading to serious violations of law and order.
“One volunteer was also implicated as a prime suspect in a gruesome case of rape and murder at RG Kar Hospital, which brought to the fore the shocking results of this recruitment tactic,” added Mahato.
The Member of Parliament expressed concern that the practice of contracting with community volunteers has encouraged ineffective police officers who are more interested in political interests than the law.
“These volunteers, often poorly trained and poorly paid, are highly vulnerable to corruption and fraud. The Supreme Court has expressed serious concern about the political funding given to these people, calling for a complete review of the system,” he wrote, warning that the practice undermines the integrity of law enforcement and creates the same one that undermines the rule of the state.
In order to combat these problems, Mahato called for a thorough investigation into the employment of community volunteers to prevent political exploitation, while encouraging a close look at the state government’s submissions in the ongoing Supreme Court hearings regarding these people.
The BJP leader also emphasized the need to promote permanent police recruitment based on the merits of protecting the aspirations of young citizens.
He stressed that the West Bengal government must ensure proper integration of Agniveers in the police force and prevent misuse of OBC quota for political gain.
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