West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee criticised the Centre over security lapses in the Pahalgam terror attack. She demanded the arrest of the terrorists and called the incident a “total failure” of the Union government.
Kolkata: Today, on June 10, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee strongly criticised the central government in the state assembly over the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, including many tourists.
She held the BJP-led Union government responsible for what she called a “complete failure” in providing proper security to citizens.
While speaking in the West Bengal Assembly during a resolution to honour the courage of Indian armed forces during a recent military operation (referred to as ‘Operation Sindoor’ though the name was not mentioned in the official resolution), Mamata Banerjee made several serious allegations and raised key questions regarding the security lapses during the Pahalgam attack.
Mamata Banerjee said,
“Why did security breaches occur? Not a single police personnel was deployed. I demand that arrest the terrorist first. For the country’s security, there is a need to tighten BSF and other agencies… I said Central government should be more powerful, they were a total failure.”
She accused the Centre of not taking enough steps to prevent such an attack and blamed the absence of security personnel at the site for the tragedy.
Describing the attack as a result of gross negligence, the West Bengal Chief Minister said,
“Why were no security forces or police personnel present at the spot of the terror attack?”
Her remarks questioned the preparedness and coordination of national security agencies under the central government’s control.
In a direct attack on the BJP-led Union government, Mamata Banerjee said the incident showed a
“total failure and callousness”
on the Centre’s part.
She used the opportunity to highlight what she believes to be a systematic issue in handling national security and warned that stronger measures are required immediately.
She further emphasized that terrorism should not be linked with any religion or community.
“We don’t support terrorism; it has no religion, caste, or creed,”
Mamata Banerjee declared, reiterating her stand that such violent acts should be condemned by all sections of society.
Interestingly, she also spoke about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and hinted that India had missed a strategic opportunity during its recent military response.
“India had an opportunity to take control of POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir),”
she stated, referring to the recent heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Despite her criticism of the central government, Mamata Banerjee took a moment to appreciate the bravery of Indian armed forces.
She said,
“There was a need for teaching them a lesson. We salute the bravery of our armed forces.”
Her comments were met with support from several members of her party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), in the Assembly.
However, the Chief Minister did not stop there. She also accused the BJP of using the sacrifice and efforts of the armed forces for political gain.
“PM Modi is only busy advertising about himself,”
she alleged, suggesting that the Prime Minister was more concerned with his image than with the real security concerns of the nation.
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Mamata Banerjee’s fiery speech in the Assembly came at a time when opposition parties across the country are raising questions about internal security and intelligence failures.
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