Bengal minister quits after row over threatening woman forest officer

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 4
West Bengal Jail Minister Akhil Giri, who was recently seen threatening and verbally abusing a woman forest officer, resigned on Sunday following huge row over his remarks.
Giri, who quit under pressure from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), expressed regret over the words used by him while maintaining that the woman officer was at fault. The minister found himself at the centre of controversy after he was seen threatening a woman forest officer, Manisha Shau, in a video. The minister, who had visited an anti-encroachment site of the Forest Department, was saying, “If you interfere in this issue again, I will ensure that you won’t be able to return.” He then shouted, “You better behave or I will beat you with a stick.” A video of the altercation went viral and this prompted the BJP to target the state’s ruling party, TMC. The minister was asked to tender his resignation and apologise to the officer, following which he agreed to resign but refused to apologise.