Dear MHA, there is something called email…

The story of how Indian Postal Department caused political crisis by losing a letter.

This happened last month, but it is too hilarious to miss out on. On 24 December, the Minister of Home Affairs sent a letter to the West Bengal Chief Minister asking him to shutdown the illegal political militia Harmad Vahini (more on that below). The letter was sent through speed post, but the Indian Postal Department, being the Indian Postal Department, didn’t deliver the letter until 27 December.

Meanwhile, the letter had been already leaked to the press and an anonymous MHA official was quoted wondering why the West Bengal Government wasn’t responding (hinting it had something to hide). Given that CPI (M)-run West Bengal Government and Congress-led Central Government are not exactly on best of terms since their fallout a couple of years ago, the three extra days gave New Delhi ample of time to snipe at West Bengal government and the latter couldn’t respond while not in possession of the letter.

For the last couple of years West Bengal has been witnessing terrible violence at the hands of Naxals and security forces alike. Unlike rest of the country, Maoism in West Bengal has a political color and Naxals have been known to specifically target CPI (M) party workers. Till date, more than 65 CPI (M) workers have been killed and more than 700 injured. CPI (M) has hit back with its own militia – Harmad Vahini – which is spread across the Naxal-affected region in the state especially the area around Lalgarh. While CPI (M) has repeatedly refused its connection with the militia, many reports from the ground argue that much of Harmad Vahini  activity is carried out of local party offices of the Marxists.

On 7 January 2011, Harmad Vahini reportedly hit a village in Lalgarh killing nine villagers and injuring more than a couple of dozen. While MHA has asked West Bengal government to shutdown the militia, Bengal CM keeps insisting that there is no such thing or even if there is such an organization, the government has no control over it.

Anyways, back to our funny story. Once the letter was delivered, P. Chindambaram, Indian Minister of Home Affairs wrote another letter explaining the confusion over the last one. Learning from their mistake, MHA made sure to fax this one along with posting it.

As of the latest, Indian Postal Department has begun a probe in the case of delayed letter. And there couldn’t be a more hilarious close to a drama demonstrating bureaucratic stupidity.

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