CONTAI (EAST MIDNAPORE): Bengal minister of state for correctional homes Akhil Giri landed in a fresh controversy on Saturday after he launched a volley of verbal abuses on a state forest ranger, calling her "beyadob" (discourteous) and a "janowar" (beast). Giri also told the officer how to behave. "A state employee should talk with his/her heads bowed down," he screamed.
Manisha Shaw, the 36-year-old officer, earned the minister's wrath for refuting local allegations of highhandedness after an anti-encroachment drive on forest land on the Tajpur coastline.
Trinamool ticked off Giri for his "condemnable and undesirable" comments against a lady officer, stressing he should "immediately apologise to the officer in person". Giri blamed the media for "making a mountain out of a molehill".
State forest minister Birbaha Hansda was "extremely upset" at the incident and said she would report it to CM Mamata Banerjee. "Nobody can speak to an on-duty officer in that manner. If he had anything to say he could have called me," she said.
The opposition, particularly BJP, mounted a stinging attack on Giri.
In a 2-minute-16-second video, Giri, who had gone to meet the illegal encroachers whose constructions were demolished, was seen accosting Shaw. Giri was heard saying in the video: "She (the officer) believes she has too much power. We have taken 25 feet here. If you enter this (place), you can never return. You are a govt employee and always speak with your heads bowed down. Erokom beyadob, janowar ranger asheni (never has such a discourteous and a beast of a ranger come here). You will understand only when hit by a stick."
Giri added: "You cannot remain for long... you just have seven, eight, 10 days... I know what corruption goes on in the forest department. I will blurt everything out in the state assembly..."
Shaw replied: "Sir, I have nothing personal against either you or them, I am just carrying out my duty."
TMC's former Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh said: "The minister should immediately apologise to the lady officer. This behaviour, the physical demeanour, the words being uttered, choice of language... This is objectionable, condemnable and unacceptable."
Giri only said: "Yes, I had a little heated exchange with the forest officer. Due to the drive, 25-odd people lost their livelihood and shelters."
BJP launched a scathing attack on Giri. Party MLAs Agnimitra Paul and Shankar Ghosh alleged that the incident only proved Giri's misogynist streak. Paul said Giri had even disrespected President Droupadi Murmu.