West Bengal grants police operational freedom against organised crime: BJP leader

A senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader has asserted that West Bengal police have been given a free hand to tackle organised crime networks, signalling a shift in the state's approach to gang-related violence. Speaking at a public event, the Kharagpur MLA stated that the culture of threats and intimidation that once plagued the region has become a thing of the past. The remarks reflect broader claims by the ruling BJP that public order and rule of law have improved under their governance in the eastern state. The statement comes as West Bengal continues to grapple with periodic reports of gang-related activities and extortion in several districts. Law enforcement agencies have conducted multiple operations against criminal syndicates in recent months, resulting in several arrests and seizures of illegal weapons. The state government has maintained that enhanced police autonomy and modernised investigative techniques are key to dismantling organised crime networks. However, civil society groups have occasionally raised concerns about ensuring such operations adhere to constitutional protections and due process.