NCW Sends Notice To Bengal's Top Cop Over Reports Of Post-Poll Violence In State

Post-poll violence in West Bengal: The National Commission for Women (NCW) asked West Bengal's Director General of Police to appear in person on May 31 with a report on action taken on the alleged cases of post-poll violence in the state.

The commission's notice comes after a letter signed by more than 2,000 women lawyers and judges sent a letter to the Chief Justice of India  NV Ramana asking the top court to take cognisance of the cases of violence erupting in West Bengal.

The NCW had earlier set up an inquiry committee on the matter when they took suo motu cognisance of several alleged and reported incidents of violence against women and children in the state. The commission said that the committee had also visited the state and observed that the state police paid little attention to the complaints of domestic violence against women and claimed that the state police took no effective steps to ensure their safety.

The commission in a statement said that the final report by the state authorities is still awaited even after several reminders and " a large number of complaints and cases of suo motu cognisance by the Commission."

The Commission called the state police authorities " non-cooperative" towards it in with the matter.

"Therefore, the National Commission for Women has sent a notice to Director General of Police, West Bengal, to appear before the Commission in person on May 31 at 12:30 pm with complete action taken reports on the matters forwarded by the Commission," the NCW statement said.

The women's commission has sought a district-wise report of the number of cases filed, data on reported crimes against women, registered FIRs and action taken since April 1. In addition to this, the NCW has asked the West Bengal police authority about the measures taken in the state to ascertain the safety and security of women.