Bengal CM Adhikari vows zero-tolerance on crimes against women, directs police action
Synopsis
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari used a Cooch Behar visit to issue sweeping law-enforcement directives — from POCSO fast-tracking to narcotics crackdowns on the Bangladesh border — while also promising ₹50 crore for a Rajbangshi language academy. The visit signals the BJP government's intent to stamp its authority on a politically and geographically sensitive district.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari reaffirmed a 'zero-tolerance' policy on crimes against women during an official visit to Cooch Behar on 22 September 2026 .
He directed police to ensure diligent investigation and speedy conviction in POCSO cases.
The CM ordered heightened vigilance against narcotics cultivation (marijuana, opium) and mafia/extortion syndicates in Bangladesh border areas.
Adhikari announced ₹50 crore for a Rajbangshi language academy , acknowledging community electoral support for the BJP.
He recalled that his convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar when he was Leader of Opposition, saying he believes in 'divine justice' .
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, reaffirmed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government's commitment to a 'zero-tolerance' policy on crimes against women, warning that any person found guilty — in offences targeting minors or adults — will face the full force of the law. Adhikari made the remarks during an official visit to Cooch Behar district in northern West Bengal.
Key Directives to Police
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister issued pointed instructions to the district police force. 'If anyone raises even a finger against any mother or any sister, minor or adult. Their fingers must be broken. The police should do whatever they can to prevent crime against women,' Adhikari said.
He also directed law-enforcement officials to conduct diligent investigations and ensure speedy conviction in cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, signalling a focus on reducing pendency in child-safety cases.
Border Security and Narcotics Concerns
Cooch Behar shares an international border with Bangladesh, a factor that figured prominently in Adhikari's address. The Chief Minister directed district police to remain especially vigilant against border-related crimes, with a particular focus on narcotics cultivation.
'The district police should be especially careful about preventing cultivation of narcotics like marijuana or opium in the border areas. No mafia or extortion syndicates should be allowed to prevail in the district,' he said.
Rajbangshi Community and Kamtapur Demand
Adhikari also addressed the long-standing demand by sections of the Rajbangshi community in Cooch Behar for a separate Kamtapur state. He noted that Rajbangshi voters backed the BJP in large numbers in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections.
'They have voted for us in large numbers. Their demands and rights will be settled through discussions. An amount of ₹50 crore will be given for the Rajbangshi language academy,' the Chief Minister told media persons.
Personal Reflection on Cooch Behar
During the visit, Adhikari recalled that his convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar the previous year, when he was serving as Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly. 'I believe in God and in divine justice,' he said, without elaborating further on the incident.
The visit reflects the BJP government's effort to consolidate its administrative and political footprint in a border district that has historically been a flashpoint for both ethnic-identity politics and trans-border criminal activity. How swiftly the police directives translate into measurable outcomes on POCSO pendency and border crime will be closely watched in the months ahead.
Point of View
Since West Bengal has historically carried high pendency in child-safety cases. The ₹50 crore Rajbangshi academy pledge is calibrated politics — Cooch Behar's ethnic-identity fault lines were a key driver of BJP gains in the state, and the government needs to be seen delivering on community promises. Whether the border-crime directives produce results will depend on coordination with central agencies, not just district police — a layer the CM's announcement left unaddressed.
NationPress
22 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari say about crimes against women?
CM Adhikari reiterated the BJP-led state government's 'zero-tolerance' stance on crimes against women during his Cooch Behar visit on 22 September 2026, stating that any guilty person — in offences against minors or adults — will be punished according to law. He also directed police to do 'whatever they can' to prevent such crimes.
What instructions did Adhikari give regarding POCSO cases?
He directed the district police to conduct diligent investigations and ensure speedy conviction in cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, aiming to cut pendency in child-safety prosecutions.
Why did Adhikari focus on border security in Cooch Behar?
Cooch Behar shares an international border with Bangladesh, making it vulnerable to cross-border crime. Adhikari specifically called for action against narcotics cultivation — marijuana and opium — in border areas, and warned that no mafia or extortion syndicates would be tolerated in the district.
What did the CM announce for the Rajbangshi community?
Adhikari announced ₹50 crore for a Rajbangshi language academy, acknowledging the community's strong support for the BJP in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. He said their demands and rights would be addressed through discussions.
What is the significance of Adhikari's visit to Cooch Behar?
The visit carries both administrative and political weight. Cooch Behar is a border district with active ethnic-identity politics centred on the Kamtapur statehood demand, and it was the site of an attack on Adhikari's convoy when he was Leader of Opposition. His visit signals the BJP government's intent to consolidate authority in a strategically sensitive constituency.
