West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri Criticized for Abuse

West Bengal Minister Akhil Giri has sparked controversy after threatening and verbally abusing a woman forest officer, Manisha Sahu, following an anti-encroachment operation in Tajpur. In videos that went viral, Giri is heard using derogatory language, demanding Sahu bow her head while speaking to him and threatening her with violence for her role in removing illegal constructions on forest land. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from both the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with calls for Giri's arrest and expulsion from the council of ministers. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh stated that Giri's behavior was unacceptable and should prompt an apology to the officer. The West Bengal Forest Minister Birbaha Hansda expressed her disapproval of Giri's actions and stated she would report the incident to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This incident has reignited discussions about the behavior of public officials and their treatment of government employees.