Mammoth Rally at Sahid Minar Maidan on 16th December, 2014

Red Flag Challenges Enemies of the People

Mammoth Rally at Sahid Minar Maidan Warns TMC and BJP

Kolkata: IN another sign of Left’s resurgence, tens of thousands of people marched into the heart of Kolkata on December 16, at the call of CPI(M) North 24 Parganas district committee. They came from faraway forest areas of Sundarbans, from working class habitats of Barracpore industrial area, from middle class suburbs like DumDum. With red flags held high, stream of humanity overflowed Sahid Minar Maidan.

This was the fourth large gathering by the Left in a fortnight in Kolkata. On December 2, thousands rallied demanding interrogation of the chief minister in Saradha scam. On December 6, another rally marched through the streets at the call of 17 Left parties, denouncing communal forces. A militant gathering broke through police barricade in a protest action on December 11. And, on the top of them, the mammoth gathering in Sahid Minar, that too from a single district, has clearly indicated towards the invincibility of red flag in West Bengal.

Undivided district of 24 Parganas, and now North 24 Parganas has been one of the strongholds of the Left movement, carrying the legacy of many historic battles of the working class and the peasantry. The political influence of the Left, the social - cultural impact of the Communist movement runs through the veins of this district. The Left activists and supporters in this district faced brutal terror in the last three and half years and many areas were still ‘prohibited’ for them. CPI(M) district committee launched an intensive campaign for more than one month in preparation for this historic rally. Hundreds of public meetings took place in the entire district. Massive door to door campaign was organised to put forward the political stand of the Party. The rally in Kolkata was the successful culmination of this determined political mobilisation.

Addressing the rally Biman Basu and Surjyakanta Misra called upon the people of the state to intensify resistance against the onslaught of the TMC government in the state. Biman Basu said that we did not favour implementation of Article 356 and, instead would expose this anti-democratic, anti-people regime to its core. Surjyakanta Misra referred to the TMC’s involvement in Saradha scam and said that Mamata Banerjee and her government have brought shame for the state.

Both Basu and Misra challenged the BJP and said that there were no forces on earth who could take away red flags from the people of West Bengal.

CPI(M) district secretary Gautam Deb had to address the gathering through video as he was recuperating from a surgery. Deb denounced the designs of communal forces and said the people of Bengal would never polarise on religious identity and would fight anti-people policies unitedly.

Families of 19 martyrs were felicitated and monetary help was handed over to them in the rally. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee met the relatives of the martyrs and assured them that the Party will always stand by them. The money was collected from millions of households in North 24 Parganas.

The rally, as was announced, marched towards the Nabanna, the state secretariat, led by a delegation. The police blocked them and immediately roaring waves began to sweep the barricades away. However, the CPI(M) leaders appealed to the people for restraint and went to submit the deputation in the state assembly house to senior cabinet ministers.

West Bengal Left Front Memo to PM on Financial Scams

Monday, December 22, 2014

NEW DELHI: A Left Front Parties delegation led by Biman Basu (Chairman, Left Front Committee, West Bengal), Sitaram Yechury (MP, leader of the  CPI(M) Group in Rajya Sabha), Abani Roy (Ex-MP, Revolutionary Socialist Party) Surjya Kanta Mishra (Leader of the Opposition, Legislative Assembly of West Bengal), Pallab Sengupta (Communist Party of India) and Ali Imran Ramz (Member, Legislative Assembly of West Bengal, Forward Bloc) met the Prime Minister today on the issue of financial irregularities and fraud committed by financial companies in West Bengal.  The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister.

The text of the memorandum given below:

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Dear Hon’ble Prime Minister,

We, the undersigned, draw your attention to the alarming financial irregularities and fraud committed by about 186 financial companies (`Chit Funds’ or `ponzi schemes’ as per local parlance) in the state of West Bengal.  In the communications with earlier governments, it was pointed out, inter alia, the inadequacy of action on the part of the State and Central Governments in this matter.  It was urged to involve and forge coordination between various investigation agencies under the Central Government like SEBI, SFIO, CBI and ED along with the State agencies. 

Along with the letter No. 990/L.O./2014 dated 28.11.2014 from Dr. Surjya Kanta Mishra, Leader of the Opposition, Legislative Assembly, West Bengal, seeking this appointment, we had enclosed copies of a memorandum dated May 9, 2013 from the Left Front Committee, West Bengal addressed to Dr. Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister of India, a detailed reply from Shri Namo Narain Meena, the then Minister of State for Finance (Expenditure & Financial Services), letters dated July 15, 2013 and October 7, 2013 to the then Prime Minister of India on this issue.

Though some progress has been made in the investigations in this fraud under the Supreme Court supervision and some action against some of the culprits has been taken, this is inadequate.

Hob’ble Supreme Court upon a Public Interest Litigation directed the C.B.I. to investigate into the matter of cheating the common man being a part of larger conspiracy wherein involvement of officers of different regulatory agencies and the political personalities/parties could not be ruled out. 

This larger conspiracy can only be unearthed and the guilty punished if all these fraudulent chit funds which operate in many other states of eastern India (Odisha, Assam, Tripura, for instance) are thoroughly investigated. 

We apprehend that there may be an all out endeavour on behalf of the beneficiaries of this massive fraud to misdirect and/or throttle the investigation.  The arrests of some Hon’ble MPs and a senior State Government Cabinet Minister raises genuine apprehensions of the involvement of the highest level in the State Government and the ruling Party in the state. Many such names, including the Hon’ble Chief Minister, have been reportedly mentioned by those interrogated so far.

We are seeking your intervention in order to ensure that all these fraudulent schemes in various states of eastern India are thoroughly investigated by the Central government and its agencies.

The Left Front parties are very much concerned about the repayment of the life long savings of millions of poor people who invested in these fraud `ponzi schemes’.  It becomes the responsibility of the Government of India to identify the people involved in the larger conspiracy and attach their properties, movable and immovable, and ensure return of the deposits to the people so defrauded.  The state government had appointed the Justice Shyamal Sen Commission to identify and compensate those defrauded.  This Commission has since been wound up.  It’s investigations and report, however, have not been made public.  These materials must be taken over by the CBI to facilitate the ongoing enquiry. 

We reiterate our position mentioned in our earlier letters for making the National Saving Scheme more attractive and taking expeditious steps for spreading banking network in West Bengal and in several other States by the Government of India.  This, along with banning of such fraud `chit funds’, is the only way to guarantee the security of small investors. 

A faulty Bill, `The West Bengal Protection of Interest of Depositors in Financial Establishment Bill, 2013’ moved by the present State Government after a legislation moved by the earlier Left Front Government and unanimously passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in December 2009 was withdrawn on 30 April, 2013 and sent to the Hon’ble President of India for his assent. But, for reasons beyond our knowledge this was withdrawn and a new Bill has been passed in the Assembly on 12 December, 2013 which is still pending with Government of India and awaiting the Presidential assent. 

Given the huge number of victims, we sincerely hope that you will urgently intervene on their behalf and also in order to put in place corrective mechanisms and regulations, so that such frauds cannot be committed in the future.  

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Earlier submissions:

Memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on May 9, 2013

Memorandum submitted on October 7, 2013

The Birth Centenary of Comrade Hare Krishna Konar

By Biman Basu [Published in People's Democracy on 7th September, 2014] The entire life of Comrade Hare Krishna Konar was dedicated to the anti-imperialist battle and to bring changes in the existing tyranny-driven society. Throughout his entire life, he worked for the application of Marxist-Leninist ideology. He also became a pioneering figure in movements of peasants and agricultural workers to dismantle the stranglehold of feudalism on them. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar was born on August 5, 1915 at Memari of Bardhaman district. He breathed his last on July 23, 1974 at the age of 59. The Polit Bureau’s condolence message after his death said that his entire life was dedicated to independence, democracy and socialism. When he was only fifteen, he was sent behind the bars for taking part in the non-cooperation movement in 1930. He was subsequently sent to Andaman Cellular Jail in 1932 for taking part in the extremist movement to uproot British rule in India. In the Cellular Jail itself he was attracted to the Communist ideology and became member of Communist Consolidation. He dedicated himself to the activities of revolutionary movements, Communist Party and peasants’ movements after being released from the jail in 1938. His steadfast ideological stand against revisionism placed him amid the leading members of the undivided Party. He played a firm role when there were attacks on Indian Communists by the narrow nationalists during 1959-1962 Indo-China border conflict. He was among the fore founders of the CPI(M). He fought resolutely against the left-sectarian line within the Party to uphold the Marxist-Leninist principle. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar started his political activities as a member of ‘Jugantar’ revolutionary group against the British colonial rule in our country. He devoted himself for the cause of independence of the country from his student days. He was from an affluent family. I have heard from him that he broke his father’s chest to collect money for the cause of revolutionary struggle. Love for the motherland was so deep-rooted in Comrade Hare Krishna Konar. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar during his jail-life in 1930 came in contact with an active member of ‘Jugantar’ revolutionary group during that time. He was none other than Benoy Chowdhury, another stalwart of revolutionary movement. The freedom fighters of Bardhaman district were churned by the Meerut Conspiracy Case. Due to frequent visits of Comrade Bankim Mukherjee and Dr. Bhupendranath Datta in Bardhaman, the attraction towards Communist ideology was on the rise. He was arrested when police got early information of some movements planned by the ‘Jugantar’ revolutionary group in 1932. In 1933 he was sent to Andaman Cellular Jail as a member of Communist Consolidation. Marxist-Leninist ideas became his guiding force. He was released from the jail in 1938. He became a member of the Party in the same year. He got involved with the Party activities in Kolkata and Howrah. He was sent to Bardhaman district to strengthen the movement against canal tax. During that time the Communists used to work remaining within the Congress according to the Bradley thesis. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar was given responsibility to maintain contacts with the Congress workers of Kolkata, Bardhaman, Howrah and Hooghly districts. He utilised this opportunity to inculcate Leftist ideology among them. Afterwards Comrade Hare Krishna Konar involved himself primarily in the Bardhaman district to apply Marxist principles in different activities. He was a pioneer in shaping the peasants’ movement in Bardhaman district. Subsequently he became a leading figure in the peasants’ movement not only in this state but in the entire country. The British rulers restricted his movements in the industrial areas in the 40s. He was a leading figure in the Ajoy river dam movement in 1944. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar was busy with the activities of Communist Party and Kisan Sabha in Bardhaman district during the period of 1944 to 1948. The Communist Party was banned on March 26, 1948. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar was arrested and subsequently released after three months. He went underground and worked for the Party remaining underground till 1952. He was elected from the Memari-Kalna assembly constituency of Bardhaman district in 1957 and from Kalna assembly constituency in 1962. He was re-elected from Kalna assembly constituency in 1967 and became minister for land and land revenue in the first United Front Government. Hare Krishna Konar played a pioneering role in seizing surplus land held by big land owners in excess of land ceiling laws and kept ‘benami’ (or false names) land. He also played a resolute role in the ideological battle with the Naxalites. The first United Front could sustain only for nine months. Comrade Konar was once again elected from Kalna assembly constituency in 1969 and took charge as the minister for land and land revenue in the second United Front Government. The initiative of seizing surplus land was even more extended in seizing the ‘benami’ land. He was an inspiration to the peasants’ movements in the state and our entire country. He was a great orator. People used to listen to him mesmerizingly in the public meetings. He was arrested several times and also went underground for work, evading arrest. The police under British rule and later on, the police of independent India arrested this legendary leader of mass movements and peasants’ struggles. He was arrested under Defence of India Act in 1962 and was released after one year. He was once again arrested under the same act in 1964. For that reason he could not take part in the seventh Party Congress which was held in Kolkata in that very year. But he was elected to the Central Committee in that Party Congress. He was re-elected as the Central Committee member of our Party in eighth and ninth Congress respectively held in Kochi in the year 1968 and Madurai in the year 1972. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar was elected as the general secretary of the All India Kisan Sabha from the national conference of 1969, which was held in Madurai. He was re-elected as the general secretary of AIKS from the conferences held in 1971 and 1973. He discharged his responsibilities as the general secretary of AIKS till he breathed his last. He took part in several international conferences. He was the member of a delegation of Party to China and Vietnam. He was affectionate to the dynamic, young comrades. I had the opportunity to see him closely. After leaving home in 1971, I used to stay in an unused kitchen room of an apartment opposite to the Kisan Sabha office in central Kolkata. He used to stay with his family in the second floor of that apartment. I was down with tuberculosis after spending one year in that apartment. Comrade Konar used to drop in to see me every day whenever he worked from the centre in Kolkata. I saw several humanitarian values in him. He was suffering from an incurable disease. But still he did not compromise with the physical and mental work for the movement and the organisation. He travelled around the country for organising the Party and to consolidate peasants’ movements. He always liked to be part of the peasants’ movements. Comrade Jyoti Basu said after the demise of Comrade Konar that “He was the national leader of the CPI(M) and the Party gave him special responsibility to organise peasants’ movements. After realising the problems of the peasants’ he could take the matter to the people in a simple manner. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar showed that the problems of the peasants’ are not only their problems. If these issues could not be solved the problems of the poor people can never be solved. He never sat idle. He was not a lawyer or a barrister. But his ideas on laws related to the agricultural issues were crystal clear. He could easily identify the faults of the officers. Comrade Konar not only knew the problems of the rural people and peasants’ but he understood what they want.” This legendary peasant leader worked tirelessly to establish firm solidarity between workers and peasants under the leadership of the working class to free people from the tyranny and oppression. Developing the solidarity between the workers and peasants could be the best tribute offered to Comrade Hare Krishna Konar in his birth centenary. Comrade Konar has proved in his whole life that the Communists are made of a special mould. They are steadfast in their ideology and fighting spirit. They are devoted to Marxist-Leninist principles. It is important to apply these according to the context of the different countries. The coming generation should adopt the lessons left by Comrade Konar and have to apply those in their respective spheres. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar’s birth centenary will be observed by the peasants’ organisations. It is important to take oath to form strong movements by consolidating peasants and agricultural labourers. Strong peasants’ movements can be instrumental to extend the battle against attack on democracy and democratic rights in West Bengal. This is how we can pay tribute to Comrade Hare Krishna Konar. Comrade Hare Krishna Konar Lal Salam.

TMC RULE IN WEST BENGAL: Sleaze & Terror: A Lethal Cocktail

'PEOPLES DEMOCRACY' 

EDITORIAL, 14th September, 2014

THE multi-crore Saradha chit fund scam that has looted crores of rupees from over 17 lakh poor people in West Bengal has now reached such proportions that it is becoming clearer by the day that the ruling Trinamool Congress party in the state and many of its prominent leaders are involved neck deep in this conspiracy.

For over three years now, the CPI(M) has been actively demanding the intervention of Central investigation agencies to unearth the scam, identify the culprits and to bring them to book in accordance with the law of the land. Under the Left Front government, a letter was sent to the financial regulator, SEBI, asking for a thorough investigation into the scam. Subsequently, after 2011 assembly elections and the change of government, CPI(M) and Left Front delegations have met the president of India twice, prime minister on three occasions and the minister for corporate affairs twice. In all these meetings, the CPI(M) had stressed for an urgent need for central agencies to step in and ensure that the properties of the Saradha group of companies be confiscated and the consequent amounts used to compensate the victims adequately. But the then UPA-II central government pleaded helplessness as the Trinamool Congress state government was not agreeing to a probe by the central agencies. It is now clear why the Trinamool Congress and its government refused such an investigation. It was precisely because it wanted to hush up this scam and, instead of confiscating the properties of the scamsters decided to nominally compensate some of the victims, financing this through the state exchequer. A full scale drama was enacted when the chief minister transported people from all over Bengal, at state government’s expense, to the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata and handed over cheques for paltry amounts to some of those who were defrauded. The people of Bengal eventually had to pay for the fraud committed by the scamsters. Clearly, the Trinamool Congress and the state government were protecting such scamsters.

Eventually, after three years since 2011, at the intervention of the Supreme Court, the CBI was asked to investigate as the apex court described this scam as having larger dimensions.

A Trinamool Congress member of the Rajya Sabha who once threatened to disclose the entire story of the scam including the involvement of the chief minister was promptly taken into custody by the special investigation team of the state government. He has remained in jail for nearly a year now.

Another TMC Rajya Sabha member, Ahmad Hassan Imran, was interrogated by the ED for his connection with the scam tainted chit fund group. The investigations conducted by the Special Fraud Investigation Organisation (SFIO) has allegedly found the MP linked with over Rs 200 crore hawala transactions. The case has been handed over to the CBI to investigate the possibility of terror links in a neighbouring country.

Various Trinamool Congress leaders, including various ministers in the state cabinet, had been summoned and interrogated. The latest has been the arrest of a former Director General of Armed Police, Rajat Mazumdar, who is currently the vice president of the Trinamool Congress. He had earlier served as DIG and DIG operations in the state.

Media speculation is rampant regarding the chief minister’s involvement in the whole scam. Telegraph (September 10, 2014) reports that the CBI director said that he was aware of the reports of the alleged meeting between the West Bengal chief minister and Saradha Group boss, Sudipto Sen (now arrested and in custody), in Kalimpong in 2012. The CBI chief has reportedly said, “We are proceeding in the right direction and hope to achieve bigger results in short time”. Reports have also appeared that when the West Bengal CM was the union railway minister in 2010, the Saradha Group had bagged a contract with the railways to implement the minister’s pet project, `Bharat Tirtha’ programme.

All these clearly show that the Trinamool Congress is equally guilty of large scale sleaze involving the loot of over 17 lakh poor people in Bengal. It can only be hoped that the CBI, SFIO, ED and other agencies expose the entire scam and bring the guilty to book while adequately arranging for the compensation of the victims.

Such sleaze is in addition to the large-scale attack on democracy through the politics of terror and torture mainly targeting the Left throughout the state by the Trinamool Congress. The unabated violence and sexual crimes against women, extortions, widespread attack on teachers and educational institutions, openly rigging and manipulating the democratic election processes etc have all resulted in the virtual break down of democratic structure and institutions in Bengal.

The CPI(M) and the Left have been consistently braving such attacks with hundreds of its valiant fighters being murdered and thousands rendered homeless. Fearing the possible early resurgence of the Left Front in Bengal, the Trinamool Congress, for some time now, has been indulging in whipping up communal passions hoping to garner the support of the minorities. This has dangerously played into the hands of the RSS/BJP to mount a counter communal offensive in order to consolidate its electoral base and possibly try to make a maiden entry into the Bengal state assembly. Such competitive communalism creates a potentially volatile situation in the state shattering the atmosphere of communal peace and social harmony that had been the hallmark of the over three decade Left Front rule in the state.

This is a real danger that the people of Bengal are being subjected to today. The CPI(M) and the Left are determined to foil all such efforts and work for the restoration of both democracy and secularism while protecting and safeguarding the interests of the vast majority of the people whose gains under the Left Front rule are being constantly and seriously eroded. (September 10, 2014)

http://peoplesdemocracy.in/2014/0914_pd/tmc-rule-west-bengal-sleaze-terror-lethal-cocktail

Saradha Money Used in 2011 Elections in WEST BENGAL

Kolkata: INVESTIGATIONS into the Saradha Chit Fund scam has exposed that a huge sum from the fraudulent business was spent to ensure the victory of Trinamool Congress in 2011 West Bengal assembly elections. According to media reports quoting investigation agency sources and depositions by some of the accused, at least Rs 130 crores was supplied to the TMC before the elections. It has been also reported that the TMC candidates received a part of this money for spending in the campaign.

2011 assembly elections in the state was a desperate battle to oust the Left Front government. It witnessed widest possible anti-Left unity. Apart from political parties and groups, a section of the intelligentsia participated in the virulent campaign against the CPI(M) and the Left Front. The elections also saw unprecedented use of money power by the forces of the so-called ‘change’.

The CPI(M) had said, even before the elections, that huge sums of money was distributed by the TMC leaders in illegal ways. That this money flow was related to chit funds was also highlighted by the Party.

As the CBI and the ED delved into the money trail of the biggest ever financial scam in the state, the political connection became evident. It has now come into light that crores of rupees were transferred to the TMC coffer in cash. Evil nexus between the TMC and the Saradha group continued and developed after the TMC came into power.

According to media reports quoting SFIO (Serious Fraud Investigation Organisation) investigation report, hundreds of crores of rupees were stashed in foreign accounts through hawala transactions. TMC leaders, including parliamentarians played an active role in these illegal transactions. 

An unprecedented scam of approximately Rs 25,000 crores or may be more than that, has pauperised nearly two million people of not just West Bengal but neighbouring eastern states also. It had shaken the state's politico-economic scenario two years back when the financial institution Saradha group of industries had been liquidated for not paying back the investors’ money. The primary investigation had unearthed direct political association of Trinamool Congress with Saradha group of companies in terms of financial dealings by siphoning off thousands of crores of rupees. Despite protests and demands for CBI enquiry, the state government had refused to hand-over the investigation to the CBI. The Supreme Court however had expressed its displeasure over how the Special Investigation Team (SIT) was functioning.

In May 2014, the Supreme Court transferred all investigations into 44 deposit mobilising companies, including Saradha Group of Companies, suspected of running ponzi schemes in the states of West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, Jharkhand and Tripura, to CBI.

Now, as investigation progresses, one after another leader of the  TMC is getting into trouble. The CBI arrested senior TMC leader Rajat Majumdar. He is a former IPS officer who retired as a DG of state armed police and later served as ‘security advisor’ of Saradha, drawing sky-rocketing salary. He is the first TMC leader to be arrested by the CBI in connection with the ponzi scam. Srinjoy Basu, Trinamool MP of Rajya Sabha was summoned and interrogated by the CBI. 

In fact, knocking at chief minister Mamata Banerjee's door is not a distant possibility now. Her name came surfacing in Saradha Ponzi scam in a regular manner, starting from the sale of her painting to IRCTC-Saradha joint scheme during her term in the rail ministry. Her claim of ‘not knowing’ the name of Saradha met a dead-end with that development in the investigation. Her government was against the CBI probe into the scam from the very beginning. Now one can easily make out the intentions that governed such opposition by the government to a CBI enquiry. The opposition parties in West Bengal have claimed that in Delo, North Bengal there was a meeting held with Saradha CMD where the CM herself was present. As the CBI and the ED move forth in the investigations, this claim might come out being a fact. With a number of TMC MPs summoned and held behind the bars, with the lists of names of TMC leaders allegedly connected with the Saradha Ponzi scam including the names of its general secretary Mukul Ray and its MIC Madan Mitra, the name of the TMC supremo might make it to the headlines any day.

But as for now, it can be said that her model of advertising branded with ‘Sototar Protik’ (icon of honesty) has met its doom. People of West Bengal have already branded their CM with ‘Saradhar Protik’ (icon of Saradha). Only time and the intentions of the central government would make it clear if the real fraudsters behind the Saradha Ponzi scam get sentence or not.

That the TMC government was born with the help of fraudulent money has also created the fertile ground for lumpen capital.

The whole state now awaits the CBI and the judiciary to fix the thugs with the charges of forgery and corruption. Till then, the people who have lost their life savings in Saradha Ponzi will keep on joining in protests and rallies organised by the Left. Slogans of rejection will keep on haunting the CM and her fraud agency called the Trinamool Congress until and after justice is delivered.

Sharpen the Battle to Safeguard Livelihood and Democracy

Biman Basu

The result of 16^th Lok Sabha elections has actually made a significant shift of paradigm in political situation. For the first time a Hindu fundamental force has been successful in getting clean majority by capturing as many as 282 seats. CPI (M0 and other Left parties must take account of this situation and initiate movement in each corner of the country along with anti-Congress, anti- BJP forces. Political programs have also to be organized focusing that.

The condition of West Bengal after the Assembly election in 2011 has to be discussed seriously. After the defeat of the Left Front TMC – Congress alliance took charge of the administration of the state and that resulted in a havoc change in the atmosphere of the state political scenario. The Left Front Government did the resurrection of democracy in West Bengal by putting an end of the terror, extortion and attack on democratic rights of people during the semi fascist terror of the 70s. The Left Front Government could successfully wipe out the politics of terror and murder. But that has been reintroduced by the TMC Government which has created a dismal political atmosphere in the state. Heinous attacks have been organized on the democracy, democratic rights and the lives and livelihood of all sections of common people in the state since last three years. 157 Left leaders, activists and supporters have lost their lives in attacks by hoodlums carrying the flag of the ruling party. Among them 147 comrades became martyr before the declaration of the Parliament election and 10 more comrades have been murdered during the election campaign and publication of result. Attacks on the houses of Left Front activists, looting, arson, terrorization and attacks on livelihood have been taking place extensively. Cattle, poultry, fishes in ponds, agricultural produce and seeds also have also been looted. At least 27283 farmers, agricultural laborers and share croppers have been ejected and deprived of rights. 48382 persons have been evicted from their own houses. 6182 houses have been damaged, looted or burnt down. According to the latest report, at least 9529 persons have been pressurized or intimidated to pay 27 crore 87 lakh and 8 thousand rupees to the TMC-backed miscreants as levy. 1365 offices of Left Front parties and 398 offices of various Leftist mass organizations have been ransacked, looted or forcibly occupied. 5732 leaders and activist of the Left Front parties have been involved in false and fabricated cases.  All these figures are increasing every day.

Our state has achieved top most position in the country in the atrocious incidents on women like assaults, molestation and rape. 1035 women have been physically assaulted. In a majority of cases, the police took no steps against the criminals. The anti-socials backed by the ruling party have been given free hands in the schools, colleges and universities. Due to direct support of the ruling party illegal control on admissions, forcible extraction of money in different ways and mass copying during examinations have been on the increase. All these we have informed the Chief Minister and demanded immediate halt to these malpractices during the submission of Memorandum on 9^th June.  Even the representatives of the ruling party have been found in invigilation copying even in the MBBS examination.

Narendra Modi has become the prime Minister. He flied all over the country during the election campaign in a chartered plane  just like American Presidential election and promised of development, employment etc. He has also promised good governance. It might have touched the young generation. The campaign of development a bit differently designed may also have attracted them. It is known from different sources that such prolonged campaign has cost BJP around ten thousand crores of rupee. One significant incident of this Parliament election was the patronage of the big businessmen and corporate houses for Mr. Modi and his party. Quite naturally it is not expected that Modi Government will address the demands of the common people overruling those corporate giants. The future will tell the direction of the economic policy of the newly elected Central Government. Some initial cosmetic steps for people will not be enough. Without fundamental economic alternative the pang of the workers, peasants and common people will only increase.  

‘Garibi hatao’ (elimination of poverty) was the slogan of Mrs. Indira Gandhi during the 5^th Lok Sabha elections during 1971 and she won 352 seats out of total 518 in that election. Her image was somewhat was different then in the context of Bangladesh liberation war.  But one should recall the statement of the Polit Bureau after her win that…’’Only fools can expect that the success of Indira Gandhi will solve the fundamental problems of people. The plight of the people will continuously increase till the country follows the capitalistic direction. The tall talks of employment for the unemployed may be heard and the pang of the people will increase in contrary. With huge majority Congress will only organize attacks on livelihood. Stable Congress Government will be embodied as stable extortion and stable attack.” The Congress Government unleashed attacks on democratic rights and this BJP Government may adopt some new measures for that.

Like other states of the country Hindu fundamentalist campaigns of BJP and RSS are on the rise in our state too. As they are at the helm of affairs at the Center, TMC can anytime go into an understanding with them. That unholy alliance may call dangers for the state. We should not forget that since their inception in 1998 TMC was an ally of BJP and cabinet member of their Government at the Center.

In this critical juncture we must be watchful about the overall political development of the country and design our future movements accordingly. To combat the situation prevalent in our state we must exercise our fullest effort in the mass movements to resist.  Left Front will observe sit-in demonstration program in protest of terror against the Left Front activists unleashed by the goons backed by the ruling party and attack on democratic rights as well as the livelihood of the common people of the state from 25^th–27^th June. The sit-in demonstration program will start from 25^th June to recollect the black days of internal emergency which was also declared on the very date in 1975. Campaigns have already been initiated to make the program successful.

The demands of the sit-in demonstration are as follows –

1.    All necessary measures for the protection of democracy, personal freedom and human rights, including the right of the Left, other opposition and each citizen to protest and to criticize, must be taken in the state immediately.

2.    Stop assault, murder, terror and plunder and punish the criminals involved.

3.    Stop the attacks on the lives and livelihood of common people including workers, employees, professionals, teachers, peasants and agricultural laborers.

4.    False and fabricated cases framed against the workers and supporters of political parties and on common people must be withdrawn immediately. Every evicted person must be brought back home. Security must be provided to offices of all opposition political parties including the Left and those of mass organizations; rights of holding meetings and conferences must be secured.

5.    Exemplary punishment must be given to those guilty of assaults on women, rape, molestation and murder. Police officials guilty of neglecting duties must be punished.

6.    The police administration must overcome political pressure in the interests of law and order and take strict steps against criminals.

7.    Effective steps must be taken to keep communal harmony in the state intact. All-party meetings at all levels including the state and district levels must be held to maintain peace, order, unity, solidarity and harmony.

8.    The educational institutions must be freed from chaos. A healthy democratic environment must be maintained in elections of managing committees and students’ unions. The admission system for pupils must be merit-based and transparent.  The security of everyone concerned must be provided in educational institutions. Steps must immediately be taken to hold a judicial inquiry into the custodial death of Sudipta Gupta.

9.    Control the price rise of the essential commodities. Reduce the prices of petroleum products and fertilizers. Strengthen social security measures and expand its purview for everybody. Democratic process has to be initiated to stop irregularities in the Municipalities and Panchayats.

10.                       Open all closed factories and tea gardens. Agricultural and industrial development has to be initiated for employment.

The battle for common people’s lives and livelihood, resurrection of democracy and democratic rights, against price rise of the essential commodities is guided by the realization of the conscious people and their coordinated efforts. We mentioned couple of years back that the attack on Left activists will not spare the common people. Such incidents are on the rise.

In some parts of the state the hyperactive presence of the fundamentalist forces can also be marked. We must not forget that the tireless uncompromising continuous struggle of the Leftists against communal threat has formed the great heritage of communal harmony of West Bengal. People with democratic and progressive spirits must remain conscious about those unholy forces. Now it is urgent to eliminate fundamental forces, the enemy of the class based movements, from the people. Communists and Leftists must discharge their duties in that.

It is time to sharpen close connection with the people to develop the conditions of unity, solidarity, harmony and law and order in the state and resist politics of communal division. To achieve that movements of peasants and working classes have to be prioritized. Today’s demand is the adoption of new form in the battle for common people’s lives and livelihood, restoration of democracy, against price rise and communal politics. Let all of us adopt such resolution.

Attacks & Violence Against Left Front Supporters

Violence against Left Front Workers, Supporters and common people perpetrated by AITC in West Bengal after Loksabha Election 2014

At a glance

1.Coochbehar

In Coochbehar Sadar area of Coochbehar district, 30 to 40 heads of cattle were looted in Shuktabari P.S, 48 heads in Lalbazar area of Sitalkuchi, and fish were looted from ponds in Panishala. Fines were being levied at exorbitant rates in several areas (at the rate of 20 to 25 thousand rupees). In Shuktabari, cattle worth rupees 1 lakh 45 thousand were taken away.

In Bhaberthana GP, khas land being tilled by 20 peasants was occupied and Trinamool flags planted there. 300 bighas were similarly occupied in New Mathabhanga.

Among offices belonging to LF parties which were occupied / looted / damaged, there are CPI(M) and AIFB offices in Sadar Uttar area, local committee no 1 of CPI(M) at Mahishkuchi, Baxirhat, 5 more offices in New Mathabhanga.  CITU office was forcibly occupied at Panishla No 4. Electricity was disconnected in 2 booth areas of Panishala.

In Sitalkuchi area property worth more than 11 lakh rupees was lost when shops, establishments and equipment were looted and paddy forcibly harvested.

At Gosairhat, 30 bighas of land with boro paddy could not be harvested because the Trinamool people prevented the farmers.

At Bhaberhat, resistance to similar prevention resulted in injuries of 2 peasants, now hospitalized.

In Shikarpur GP and Jorapatki GP 140 shops have been looted and locked up.  AITC leaders have gone from house to house in Shikarpur GP demanding huge amounts per family, ranging from 15 thousand to 1 lakh 25 thousands rupees.

In Hazrahat-1 GP, the party flag has been replaced by AITC flag in the CPI(M) local office. In Bairagirhat GP, CPI(M) workers are being pressurized for money and prevented from going out to the market.

Fines totaling 2 lakh 60 thousand rupees have been demanded from 11 families in Phulbari.

In some parts of Coochbehar Block-I also, extensive damage to property worth 69 lakh 28 thousand rupees was made by AITC attackers.

In Coochbehar Sadar Dakshin Zone, 34 persons have been driven out of their homes.

In Tufanganj area, 79 people have been forcibly confined to their homes and prevented from working on the fields or harvesting or opening their shops.                                                                                                       

2.Jalpaiguri

In  Jalpaiguri Sadar and other parts of the district violence by AITC took place. At least 8 LF activists have been injured including CPI(M) leader and ex-MP Jiten Das.  Many shops and establishments have been damaged, looted and forcibly closed, 6 in Rajganj PS alone. Autos and small trucks belonging to Left supporters were not allowed to ply. Many people were forcibly prevented from going to work. Workers in tea gardens and orchards were specially affected. 8 or 9 small and medium-sized traditional tea gardens, 3 of them in Rajganj PS, drove away those loyal to the red flag, the owners supporting the AITC hoodlums. 12 workers of Sonamukhi Tea Estate, 2 workers of Rong Tea Company, 12 workers in orchards, 7 workers of Dooars plantation and 20 workers of hatcheries were attacked and threats have been made to drive them out. Especially in new tea estates and smaller estates, the workers are being pressurized and intimidated by AITC goons to join their party. Even in small tea gardens, looting and physical attacks are taking place. 

On 22nd May the Rajganj Zonal Committee office of CPI(M) was captured by AITC miscreants but was later reoccupied by the Party workers. 8 more branch offices and LC offices of the Party were forcibly occupied by AITC. The police was informed in each case but took no steps.  

3.Darjeeling

The CPI (M) Local Committee office (Phulbari no 2) was first attacked and damaged on 16th May and razed to the ground with a payloader by AITC men on 22nd  May. They also put up AITC flags there. Party leaders went to the spot to demonstrate and lodged a complaint. Comrade Ashok Bhattacharya former Minister, Comrade Jibesh Sarkar and other leaders went on hunger strike, demanding removal of AITC flags and arrest of culprits. Under pressure, the police removed the AITC flags. But the hunger strike went on until three culprits were arrested on 24th May. Other culprits are still to be arrested.  Threats on CPI (M) workers are continuing because the AITC goons are loyal to a local Minister.

4. Uttar Dinajpur

Extensive areas of the district under Chopra, Islampur and Itahar blocks are subject to terror launched by AITC & INC. Areas specially affected are Chopra Daspara, Lakshmipur, Chutiakhore, Majiali GP in Chopra Block, Gobindapur, Kamlagaon, Sujali, Matikunda I & II, Agdimtikhunti GP in Islampur block, Marnai, Kapasia, Gulandar I & II, Durgapur and Patirajpur GPs in Itahar Block. People have no democratic rights in these areas. Four GPs (Durgapur, Kapasia, Sujali & Agdimtikhunti) which the Left Front had won last year have been forcibly taken over.

Number of false cases are 751 and people arrested on false cases 70.

People driven out of their homes number 450.

5.Dakshin Dinajpur

Several party workers, including leaders have been charged in false cases.  False cases were been lodged against at least 208 known CPI(M) activists, including Smt. Minati Ghosh and Sri Narayan Biswas, the former ministers of the state. These cases were filed by Gangarampur, Tapan, Harirampur and Banshihari PS.

6. Malda

On 20th May 2014 police arrested Dulal Rajak, CPI(M) councilor of ward no-4 of Old Malda Municipality on false charges and kept him in lockup for three days. On 31st May early in the morning several AITC miscreants attacked Mithun Singha and injured him with a sharp weapon; an FIR was filed on 2nd June.

17 people have arrested on false charges. 15 people have been driven out from their houses to protect themselves from AITC terror.  Four of them are members of Bhakrabandh GP and eleven others belong to Sabdalpur.

7. Nadia

Ever since the publication of results, Left Front supporters and  known  Left Front voters are being attacked and intimidated by AITC supporters. Several have been injured and hospitalized. Houses have been ransacked.

Under 9 police station areas of the District, people have been attacked. These include  Sri Bankim Ghosh, former Minister of West Bengal and several women leaders. Smt. Bela De, mother of a party supporter, was hurt when trying to save  her son from attack by AITC men. She had to be hospitalized. She died 2 days later. (28 May 2014)

The Nadia District Left Front made a representation to the District Magistrate on 27th May and complained of the unlawful activities and violent deeds of the AITC.
On 31st May Mrityunjay Thakur member of CPI(M) belonging to Muratipur village under Kalyani PS  has been threatened with murder several times over mobile phone,  unless  an amount of 2 lakh rupees is paid.

On 3rd June AITC miscreants have thrown bombs from their victory processions at the houses of CPI(M) supporters in Hatba village under Chapra PS. As a result CPI(M) activist Swapan Roy was seriously injured. Some other comrades have also sustained injuries. The miscreants looted some houses of the village. The terror in the village in the adjoining areas has been continuing . The police has taken no action. On the same day around 3pm AITC miscreants looted the house of Swapan Roy, DYFI leader, and beat him up.

On 5th June around 10am Priya Sarkar, former pradhan of Saguna GP was attacked by  AITC miscreants. She suffered head injuries and was treated at JNM Hospital. She was a polling agent at a booth where, in spite of terror, the CPI(M) candidate led. The Party leadership went to the PS in a deputation about this incident.  On the same day around 7am AITC goons led by Gopal Bhangri alias Gopal Sarkar harvested and wasted the vegetables and oil seeds grown by peasants of Debnathpur area under Tehatta PS. In a clash with villagers 5 peasants and 7 miscreants were injured. The AITC is active since May 2011 to drive out Patta-holders in these areas.

Around 8pm on the same night the house of Amal Bhowmik and Sibani Bhowmik, members of the district committee of the party, was attacked with powerful bombs which destroyed two windows and damaged furniture. Their house was also attacked 9 days before this. FIR has been submitted in Chakdaha PS.

At Tehatta an armed AITC gang wanted to forcibly occupy some land of Patta owners in Bagakhali Mouza.     

                                                                            
8. North 24 Parganas

Post-poll attacks by AITC in the district started as soon as results were announced. Three CPI (M) offices at ward no 13 of Habra South Local Committee, wards 4 and 6 at Panihati were ransacked. At least 6 other CPI (M) offices in different parts of the district were ransacked.  Four CITU offices in different areas were occupied. 1 club run by Party supporters and a DYFI office were damaged. 32 houses belonging to Party workers or supporters were attacked and damaged. Countless CPI (M) workers, especially those who served as agents during polling and counting, were mercilessly beaten up. 10 were beaten up at Kowgachhi alone.

At Swarupnagar, public property was heavily damaged in attacks on places within Sanrapur Nirman GP. The AITC people leading the attack terrorized surrounding areas.
On 1st June, a brick kiln workers’ union office (affiliated to CITU) in Hosainpur area of  Minakhan PS was set on fire.

All cases have been reported to the police but action has been taken in very few of them.
After Shri Narendra Modi took his oath as the Prime Minister of India on 26th May, 2014, some supporters of the BJP celebrated the event at Haldergheri Para with fireworks. The next day, on 27 May, 2014 some supporters of AITC, who are locally identified as anti-social elements, assembled on the spot and severely assaulted villagers including CPI(M) workers. 

When this news came to the knowledge of the villagers, they strongly agitated and demonstrated. Suddenly, some AITC led goons launched attack on the villagers with firearms, iron rods and chains, bars, etc. They started firing on the helpless villagers indiscriminately in presence of the Police where 25 people received injuries in different parts of their bodies. One sustained head injury with fracture of both bones in the forearm. Some women were also injured during the incident. All the 25 injured persons were primarily admitted at the Khuina Rural Hospital. Thereafter, 13 persons out of 25 were referred to the SSKM Hospital, Kolkata. The 13 persons who received bullet injuries belong to Scheduled Tribe community and this incident has created huge impact on their community in the area of utter fear and terror.

The most unfortunate fact of the incident is that on behalf of the attackers, Sri Sibapada Hazra, Member, Zilla Parishad, North 24-Parganas has lodged a complaint against the attacked persons and the Police has already started a case under various sections of IPC and Cr. P. C. (noted on 6th June, 2014)

Heavy terror continues in Amdanga PS area. It caused huge damage to the Jute workers and cultivators of the area. Left Front submitted memorandum to the local P.S. No proper action has been taken. 

In all 1175 people belonging to 11 different Blocks have been driven out from home.

114 false cases have been filed in 8 different Blocks and 29 people have been arrested on false charges.                                                                                                                      9. South 24 Parganas

Left Front workers and supporters have been attacked in many parts of the district after polling. Looting and ransacking by AITC workers took place in Baruipur, Basanti, Bhangor, Canning, Patharprotima, Bishnupur and Kakdwip. Party offices and those of mass organisations have been damaged or forcibly closed. Many shops and establishments were damaged, particularly in Kashipur, Jibantala, Basanti and Bhangor areas.

In South 24 Parganas,  after the Parliament election, at least 58 members of families of polling agents were evicted from their houses. At least 360 Left Front supporters have been attacked, 341 houses ransacked, 490 shops or small business affected, more than 40 lakhs of rupees collected forcefully from at least 567 of LF sympathizers. In 70 cases complaint was lodged at the police station while in other cases police has not accepted the complaints even. Rather at least 395 numbers of false cases are lodged by the attackers against those who are attacked. Many of the Left Front supporters are denied or obstructed from work in earning their livelihood. Some specific references are attached.             

10. Kolkata

Post-poll violence has affected 10 AC areas in 3 different PCs: Kolkata Uttar, Kolkata Dakshin and Jadavpur.

17 party offices at zonal and local levels have been attacked and damaged. 12 offices of  different organizations, sympathetic to Left Front, have been ransacked.
On the night of 31st May AITC launched a planned attack on a CITU Office of employees of shops and establishments. Chairs, tables, fans and furniture were broken and 5000 rupees stolen. On the same night a CPI(M) office in ward no 107 of Dakshin Kolkata PC was similarly ransacked and the martyrs’ column outside it was ground to dust. On 6th & 7th June respectively CPI(M) offices at 47 Christopher Rd, Kolkata – 14 and 49 Tangra Rd, were attacked and damaged.                                                                              Physical assaults on many individuals have been reported, including 10 LF workers and 1 LF councilor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation at whom a bomb was thrown. 11 houses of Party supporters and workers have been damaged/looted. One of them, in ward no 99, was attacked by AITC workers who were resisted by women of the locality. This attack was criticised even by some local AITC people.3 shops and business establishments of Left supporters were forcibly closed down to rob them of their livelihood.

Numerous false cases have been filed against LF workers. Of them, 29 are in wards no 9 and 17 alone.

On 8th June morning senior CPI(M) leaders Kanai Ganguly and Chanchal Das were threatened  by an armed AITC gang. They have ordered Kanai Ganguly, former Chairman, Borough Committee of KMC, to leave his house within 24 hours. This happened at Satchashipara under Cossipore P.S. where 2 CPI(M) offices have been forcibly occupied by AITC workers after the polls. Similar occupations have taken place at Paikpara and Sinthi.

11. Howrah

(1) 9 Left Front supporters have been beaten up by AITC miscreants in different villages under Udaynarayanpur PS.

(2) 279 houses of Left Front supporters have  been robbed, furniture and utensil damaged, mostly under Udaynarayanpur PS, Amta PS, Uluberia PS and Malipanchghara PS. On 5th June, at Jagarampur Banshberia village of Uluberia-2 block, a series of attacks by AITC goons left 8 houses of LF workers and supporters ransacked and 2 seriously injured. In the Malipanchghara incident, the house of a local CPI(M) leader was attacked twice within an hour on 16th May, doors, windows and furniture badly damaged with lathis and iron rods, a bag with rupees 5000 in cash taken away.

(3) 1 party office, 1CITU office, 1Kisan Sabha office and 1 DYFI office were ransacked.

(4) 1 martyrs’ column at Parijat crossing was destroyed.

(5) At least 878 people have been forced to leave home.

(6) 952 persons have been involved in 212 false cases.

(7) 41 persons have been prevented from going to work / earning their livelihood.

(8) Property of 148 families has been looted.

(9) 509 persons have been injured in physical attacks; 68 of them were admitted to hospitals.
Only 10 persons have so far been arrested.

Each of these attacks was led by AITC workers and miscreants. The incidents have been reported to PS concerned.

At Jagatballavpur, on the night of 31st May the police conducted raids in the village of Dakshinpatihal. Under the pretext of a search they harassed innocent people, including old men and women. Since then men of the village are forced to stay away from home and passed the night in the open field. 11 houses were thus attacked for a duration of three hours. When  a complaint was submitted to Jagatballavpur PS the OC denied the involvement of his men in the incident.  

  
12. Hooghly

Arambagh sub-division has been specially affected by AITC terror. In Kanaipur village of Goghat area, 15 houses belonging to Party workers have been damaged. In Nakunda Of Goghat an old woman and her son had to be hospitalized after being severely beaten by AITC men. In Jagannathpur of Khanakul, a polling agent was badly beaten up after polling. Numerous houses have been attacked and ransacked. A poultry farm belonging to a Party leader at Batanal was set on fire.

The District leadership of the Left Front wrote to the DM Hooghly about the multiple incidents of violence organized by AITC from 16th May to 27th May. These included the ransacking of houses and dwelling places in various parts of the District. There were numerous incidents of physical assaults, eviction from house, forcible occupation of party offices and clubs. All this is being done to prevent CPI(M) from holding protests.

A Left Front delegation led by Biman Basu visited Joysinghachawk of Madhabpur GP of Arambagh on May 31. The male members of almost all the families of the village left their homes because of sustained terror. The two party comrades Utpal Santra and Gopal Santra who had accompanied the delegation were attacked on the same night. Their houses have been burnt to ashes. The SDPO was informed about all these series of attacks but no action has been taken.

On 1st June 2 women of Gobarara village, Belmuri GP under Dhaniakhali PS were physically assaulted by AITC miscreants. Their sister-in-law Jharna Mandi and her daughter Sumana had been burnt to death earlier. The family is under attack because Lancho Mandi, Jharna’s husband is a known CPI(M) worker. The very next day 2nd June, Lancho’s niece Pratima Murmu was attacked at Gobarara village, Belmuri GP under Dhaniakhali PS.

In all 836 persons in the district have been forced out of their homes, 5205 have been involved in 784 false cases.

13. Purba Medinipur

A number of people have been affected by AITC terror in different Blocks. Houses have been attacked and damaged, ransoms forcibly taken, false cases filed and property looted. In Patashpur –I Block 101 persons have been affected in this way; 29 persons in Pataspur-II Block ; 42 persons in Kanthi-III Block (Marichda) out of whom 35 had to pay huge amounts of ransom. In Kanaidighi GP of the same Block, in booth no. 56, women were raped and in booth no. 57, several women were molested.

In Khejuri 5 GPs ( Janka, NijaKasba. Kalagachia, Kamarda and Birbandar) witnessed extensive terror and attacks. In Tikashi GP a resident of Chatnabari village was beaten and fined. In Henria GP the house of Nilmoni Maity of Mouhati-Debichak village was burnt down and when he complained at the PS he was banished from the area. About six others of the same village have been fined and driven out of home.

Terror is also extensive in Nandigram. In booths no. 16, 18, 25, 26, 99 and 126 several persons including polling agents have been beaten up and medical treatment denied. False cases have been filed against 32 persons in booths no 25 & 26. In booth no 249 Rabin Giri  CPI(M) workers returned home after a long time but was threatened again and rescued by police.

In 214 Bhagabanpur AC an AITC victory procession on 23rd May ended in the ransacking of 9 houses in booth no. 73, including the house of GP members Sabita Das and she was put under pressure for resignation.

In Ramnagar-I Block a fishery co-operative at Sankarpur of Talgachari-II GP was set on fire by AITC goons. Property worth 14 lakh rupees was destroyed. When the fishermen resisted, false cases were filed against 12 of them. Two CPI(M) workers were arrested but no AITC miscreant has been arrested. At Mirzapur village of Padima-I GP in the same block a poultry farm was looted by AITC miscreants. They also filed false cases against 10 persons. 

False cases have been lodged by Moyna PS after elections against 24 CPI(M) workers. Two of them are in the lock-up while 3 have been released on bail. Several comrades are staying away from home. Cases were filed at Moyna PS on 14/05/2014 against those who conducted criminal attacks on polling day (12/05/2014). These criminals, facing charges under 341/323/354/379/506/34IPC are moving about freely. Police is not arresting them.

14. Paschim Medinipur        

Since the declaration of results of Lok Sabha polls, 22 Party offices of CPI (M) in the district have been ransacked, 4 of them set on fire and 22 others forcibly shut down or occupied. Nearly 1175 people have been beaten and ransom extracted from them, including women who were stripped before being beaten, as at Hematpur village in Chandrakona I block.  476 houses have been damaged and looted. About 3000 persons had been driven away from home; some have returned but the figure of the homeless still stands at 2556. In Simla village of Chandrakona II block Nirmal Mukherjee was staying away from home when it was attacked on 2nd June and his aged mother and wife were beaten and thrown out. Among those who lost house and home on 23rd May, there were 25 families of tribal Shabars of Ghatkura village in Jambani block. At Radhanagar village in Kharagpur II block houses and shops belonging to 226 Munda tribal families were ransacked by AITC goons.  72 peasants are not allowed to till their land. 216 people have been forced to shut down their shops or business establishments. 55 persons are not being allowed to go to their workplace. 1185 party workers have been involved in 196 false cases. 76 of them are in prison. AITC blackmailers have raised rupees four crore in ransoms.  Cattle, livestock and other property worth rupees two crore have been looted. The electricity of 55 families has been disconnected. 

The fascistic terror of AITC knows no bounds as far as Keshpur AC of Ghatal PC is concerned. In the Keshpur AC itself the fallout of the terror till 22nd May was: evicted  1668 persons; physically assaulted 593; the loss due to loot, damage and fine is to the amount of Rupees 6.86 crores, martyred 1, cultivation stopped – 36 peasants, small shops and business stopped – 110 persons, unable to attend workplaces- 44 persons.

Baren  Dey, a leader of DYFI was kidnapped and beaten up on 27th May and again on 2nd June; the second time was from Belda High School where he teaches.  This is because they want him to withdraw the complaints he had filed against them.  From 2nd June he is not being allowed to go to his workplace.

On 8th June AITC miscreants kidnapped Saidul Bhuiyan (37) from a wedding ceremony at Shyamnagar village under Garbeta PS and carried him to Hatisole village where he was killed.

15. Bankura

Ujjal Chanda (22), CPI(M) activist and a poor peasant of Onda suffered grave injury caused by AITC hoodlums on May 29. His family members were also attacked on that day including his mother. He was admitted to SSKM hospital in Kolkata where he died on 3rd June.  Chanda’s family was previously attacked in 2013 and also in the January this year by his neighbour who is associated with the AITC. Complaint was lodged in the local police station. AITC activists have pressurized the police not to take any action against the culprits. 

Two CPI(M) offices at Kankila and Bankidaha  under Bishnupur PS were damaged by AITC attackers   on 16th  May. Under the same PS 11 CPI(M) workers including two polling agents were beaten up and some of them fined.

Under Taldangra PS many people are living under threat of displacement in the villages of Ghola, Mandi, Satmouli, Bikarda GP, Mutama. 150 families of Bairagbandh village in Bibardha GP are prevented from using drinking water or village ponds. They are not even allowed to shop for food. On 18th May a house was ransacked at Rajpur Muslimpara and a CPI(M) office was ransacked  at Panchmura village. Next day a house in Deulvira village was damaged after AITC victory celebration.

Under Joypur PS electricity has been disconnected from the Joypur CPI(M) office. Manju Pande of Joypur was beaten up at the village market.

1 CPI office at Dasgihi under the same P.S was locked up by AITC goons on 16th May and some wooden statues broken. On the same day a CPI worker Ganesh Mukherjee who was polling agent for LF was surrounded at home by AITC miscreants who burst bombs.

Under Patrasayar PS  a fishery was looted, a shop was forcibly closed down and  huge amounts were demanded from  three persons.

The people of all the above areas are living in terrible insecurity and the CPI(M) Bankura District Committee has informed the DM and SP in writing on 19th May, 2014, giving details of all the specific incidents.

16. Bardhaman

2 CPI (M) workers, including a woman, have been martyred after the polling: Kajol Sekh(45) of  Bastepota village under Memari PS and Ashmira Begum, former Panchayat member,  of Muhul village under Ketugram PS. 6 others were seriously injured in the Muhul incident. 42 others were injured in brutal attacks by AITC workers; many of them had to be hospitalized. 10 of them were injured on 17th May, when the Kanksa Zonal office of CPI (M) at Panagarh was attacked thrice. They include members of CPI (M)’s Burdwan District Committee and its secretariat.

Each incident was reported to the police. No arrests were made.

The attack on livelihood of Left Front supporters is widespread in the district. Forcible closure of shops and establishments, peasants forcibly being prevented from going to their land for agricultural work, milkmen being prevented from selling milk (leading to great wastage of milk) and the looting of goods worth 4 lakh rupees from a shop in Khandaghosh PS are all part of the AITC programme of starving people to death. Poorer sections and women have been special targets.

At Hatgobindapur village, women were molested by AITC men and policemen together; 500 peasants at least have been  prevented from harvesting their produce which was looted from the field by AITC goons. These peasants were also driven out of their home. 

Among numerous houses looted and damaged, there are the two houses of former MLAs Tapas Chatterjee and Samar Hazra.

At Gourdanga in Katwa PS, a wedding ceremony was attacked by AITC miscreants on 25th May, CPI (M) workers beaten up and women molested. Two were hospitalized including a woman. Though a complaint has been filed, no one has been arrested.
In Khurul village under Bhatar P.S. TMC miscreants attacked 5 women workers and they were admitted in Bhatar hospital. In Barabelun village under same P.S. AITC goons had broken the house of an LCM of CPI(M).

In Mongolkote PS. AITC miscreants attacked a local CPI(M) leader on 24th May. He had to be hospitalized. Similar incidents took place in Raina PS also.

Numerous physical assaults on party workers and members of their families and ransacking of many houses and personal property have been reported. The details of each incident were given to the District Magistrate by Party leaders on 26th May, 2014 in writing.

On 1st June, some drunks from an AITC ‘victory march’ passing through Malkita village under Sadar PS, dragged out from her home a 15-year old girl whose father was a polling agent for the CPI(M) candidate in the Loksabha Elections. Her shouts brought her neighbours rushing to the spot to save her. The miscreants fled, only to return later with arms and added manpower. The poor people of the village were severely beaten, five houses set on fire with the slogan “Mamata Banerjee Zindabad” on the arsonists’ lips. The haystacks of 5 CPI(M) workers and supporters were burnt. 3 of them also lost their paddy-silos in the fire. Cash and gold were also looted. The police arrived much later, arrested    7 of the victims and none of the miscreants. Complaint has been filed at Bardhaman Sadar  PS

17. Birbhum

On 19th May, two groups of tribals clashed in ward no 17 of Rampurhat town. AITC supported one side and lodged false cases against several people, with the commissioner of the ward Sanjib Mondal heading the list, though he was actually trying for peace. It is worth notice that Mallik had been returned on a hammer-and-sickle symbol and Lok Sabha candidate for LF also had a comfortable lead in this ward. Tension still persists here.

5 GP areas in the Dubrajpur Zone are affected by AITC attacks. Several villages have been attacked; ordinary people have been beaten up and threatened. In Mirul village under Loba GP, one man was abducted, taken to the Trinamool office and beaten. At 11 a.m. on 18th May, Rampur village under Jashpur GP was attacked, tube-wells were destroyed, women were beaten up and a temple gate was damaged. In Paduma GP, the villages with tribal population are specially targeted.

On June 3 at about 9-30pm a group of 60 AITC miscreants raided the Gopalpur village of Dubrajpur PS. They aimed at killing CPI(M) leader Moqdul Hossain. The village was encircled by the armed miscreants. On being informed the local police have arrived on the spot. The miscreants attacked the police with bombs. Five police personal was injured. Among them Anup Chakraborty seriously injured was immediately transferred to a Nursing Home. On the same day similar attack by AITC goons to place on the leaders of Sattor LC of CPI(M). Several families were thrown out and these homeless people are staying at the party office of Bolpur ZC.

In all 491 persons in the district have been robbed of their democratic rights by AITC attackers, 1138 driven out of home, 947 involved in false cases and 142 innocent people  arrested. 

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