Trinamool on a vendetta, Left learning from mistakes: Budhadeb Bhattacharjee

Kolkata, May 31 : Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader and former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Tuesday attacked the ruling Trinamool Congress for the post-poll violence against Left activists and slammed the central government for failing to control the price rise of fuels and essential commodities.

He was addressing a Left Front rally on Tuesday in Kolkata. Bhattacharjee also said his party was taking lessons from its rout and would decide its future course after seeing the Mamata Banerjee government's performance.

'The UPA (United Progressive Alliance) has completed two years but it has not managed to get pass marks. The ever rising prices of daily use commodities are a sign of its failure,' he said. 'They have failed to control the price rise of essentials. They are only interested about the rich. We had earlier told the central government to make uniform public distribution system across the country but they have not agreed to it,' said Bhattacharjee.

'The government should not increase the price of fuel further. We demand that government should cap the price rise of fuels and essential commodities,' said Bhattacharjee, who is also a member of the CPI-M politburo. Hitting out Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his comment on the Left Front's defeat, Bhattacharjee said: 'He has said that our defeat is historic but he should keep one thing in mind that we have still got 41 percent votes of the total votes polled. But the central government is ruling the country sitting on the 29 percent votes they have got. This is also historic.'

'We have been defeated in the elections. We are learning lessons from it. We are trying to find out what went wrong. We are trying to find out what we couldn't do and what we have done. But above all we must also keep one thing in mind that near about one crore, ninety five lack people have voted in favour of Left Front,' he said. 'We will take our lessons and go back to the people and the people will only decide which path we should take. We are keeping a close watch on the activities of the new government. We are watching what they are saying regarding agriculture, health and industry. We are listening to it carefully,' said Bhattacharjee.

'The people of the state are also listening to it. We will decide our path after watching their path. But before all this the attacks on the Left Front activists should stop. The new government should look into the matter,' said Bhattacharjee. Without specifically naming the Trinamool, Bhattacharjee attacked it for perpetrating a political vendetta. 'Hundreds of our party offices have been destroyed. Our party flags have been removed and their flag has been put up in those offices. Many people have been killed. Just because we have lost, does that that means our workers should be killed?' he said.

'As many as 5,000 people have fled their homes due to fear. People are being compelled to donate towards party funds. They are attacking our panchayat members compelling them to join the other party or die. This is the situation all across the state. We cannot tolerate these killings. Government should take action against this,' said Bhattacharjee. In an obvious reference to the spate of arms recovery made allegedly belonging to the CPI-M cadres, Bhattacharjee said the people of Bengal cannot be fooled by such tricks.

'Recovery of arms covered in the red flag has become a daily phenomenon. Do they think the people of Bengal are blind? The people very well know what is true and what not. This way they cannot fool the public,' he said.

Left parties protest in Punjab against pretrol price hike

Left parties staged demonstrations at district headquarters across Punjab on May 30th ,protesting hike in prices of petrol and other essential commodities during the UPA regime. Activists of the CPI and the CPI (M) took out rallies across Punjab. Leaders of Left parties slammed the UPA government over its failure to contain inflation in the country. They also demanded immediate steps to bring down the prices of essential commodities and sought withdrawal of hike in petrol prices.

Addressing the Violence Behind the “Missing” Girl Child

Sudha Sundhararaman

(AIDWA All India Secretary)

EVERY time the census figures are released, the alarm bells start ringing. This year, the provisional census figures revealed a shocking decline in the child sex ratio figures from 927 per thousand in 2001 to 914 in 2011- a decline of 13 points, bringing the figures down to the lowest since independence. The ratio has been falling unabated ever since the 1961 Census. And though states like Punjab and Haryana have shown some improvement since the previous Census, their child sex ratios are still the lowest in the country. Unfortunately, the situation has deteriorated in many more states now. There are nine states with child sex ratios below 900 – Haryana: 830, Punjab: 846, J&K: 859, Delhi:866, Rajasthan:883, Maharashtra: 883, Gujarat: 886, Uttarakhand: 886, and Uttar Pradesh: 899 per thousand. The number of states with child sex ratios of 951 and above has reduced by half from 18 to 9 while the number of states and UTs with CSRs below 915 has increased from 9 in 2001 to 14 in 2011.

The hollow claims being made by the UPA- II government regarding “inclusive” growth stand thoroughly exposed by these grim statistics. There can be no celebration about the rise in the overall sex ratios, when the impact of this consistent decline threatens to undermine whatever gains are being touted. What is more, it also raises fundamental questions about the government policies and interventions, which have obviously done little to redress the imbalance in child sex ratios, but rather, have contributed to aggravating the situation further.

To address the underlying issues, and chalk out a plan of action, a joint meeting was organised by AIDWA, and the Indian School for Women’s Studies and Development (ISWSD), in New Delhi on April 30, 2011.

Many prominent academicians, and members of ISWSD including – Rajni Palriwala, Indu Agnihotri, Malini Bhattacharya, Professor Mohan Rao and representatives from organisations like Sama, Young Women’s Christian Association, Students’ Federation of India, Working Women’s Co-ordination Committee (CITU)and All India Kisan Sabha etc, participated in the meeting, which was presided over by AIDWA vice president Kirti Singh.

AIDWA activists and leaders from the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra and West Bengal placed their state experiences, as part of an organisational meeting. Kiran Moghe, AIDWA national secretary and Jagmati Sangwan, AIDWA vice president gave graphic accounts of the struggles undertaken in Maharashtra and Haryana to force the administration to implement the PcPNDT Act. They raised many serious questions about the political commitment of the government to enforce it. A draft resolution was placed by AIDWA general secretary, Sudha Sundararaman, which was greatly enriched and strengthened by the ensuing discussion.

The meeting unequivocally came to the conclusion that the fall in child sex ratio represented a damning indictment of the policies of the UPA-II government and an exposure of its utter failure to implement the PcPNDT Act.

FERTILITY DECLINE & DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE

The aggressive “population stabilisation” programme, preceded by the family planning drive launched by successive governments have contributed to the sharp decline in child sex ratios. This is because smaller families are being propagated and popularised within a highly patriarchal and gender discriminatory social construct. Parents too now wish to have less number of children, but, the fall in growth rate of population after decades of stagnation appears to have been achieved primarily at the cost of the girl child. When parents decide to have one child, or two children, the preference is for the son- even without sex selective abortions. In a state like Punjab, it was observed during field research that families with one son prefer not to have another child at all!

Though the two child norm has been formally given up, many states continue to implement it, with incentives and disincentives still being included in different ways. Women with more than two children cannot contest panchayat elections in some states. In Maharashtra, the Cong/ NCP government has passed a law that families with more than two children will have to pay one and a half times more for irrigation water.

Modern families want at least one son, and not more than one daughter – and methods to achieve this ideal are being resorted to without compunction. Indeed, surveys have shown that higher literacy figures and economic growth provide no guarantees against the crime of sex selection. It is in urbanised, fast growing metros that sex selective abortions are gaining popularity, and acceptance. In rural areas, the girl child is neglected after birth, her health needs are not attended to, and she is allowed to die. Such is the grim reality of aversion to daughters.

SEX SELECTIVE ABORTIONS

Under the PcPNDT Act (1994) sex selection is illegal, and punishable. However, in reality sex selective abortions are being conducted with impunity. There is a well developed nexus between the medical profession, the technicians, and the large companies selling the ultra sound machines. This profitable market exists because of the unwillingness of the government to take stringent action against those violating the law.

When AIDWA did a sting operation in Pune district of Maharashtra against a leading doctor, it discovered that the Act had not even been notified in that district even ten years after the Act had been put into place! A similar lapse undermined the efficacy of the law in Haryana as well!

Collusion between the profit makers, corruption and the clout wielded by unethical and corrupt members of the medical profession (often supported by their associations) have rendered the Act toothless. Clinics get sealed due to our struggles, and then, are back in action within a short period. So-called monitoring committees at all levels are dominated by those who are being monitored and activists, experts etc are conspicuous by their absence on these committees.

The “F” forms that should be analysed and monitored to identify wrongdoers are gathering dust in office rooms.

The Central Supervisory Board set up to monitor and oversee the implementation of the PcPNDT Act did not hold a single meeting over three years. It has been reconstituted recently, in a most non transparent manner. States too are following suit, which will render these bodies ineffective once more.

The linkages with the medical service as business are becoming more advanced, with the advent of newer and newer technologies. The phenomenal expansion in ART centres indicates what a lucrative business enterprise it has become- the potential for its misuse for sex pre selection is extremely high, but there is no regulation. Thus, there is a serious lack of political will in the implementation of the PcPNDT Act by the government.

SOME DISTURBING QUESTIONS

Technology is not neutral. It was noted that the introduction of a “silent observer”- a hard disc placed in the ultrasound machine to monitor pregnancies more closely- in some states and regions is an unwanted intrusion that could lead to harassment and victimisation of the woman. Though proper screening and monitoring is important, the procedures for monitoring pregnancies cannot become an instrument for invasion into the privacy of individuals.

The numbers of ultra sound machines are increasing by the day, and there are now mobile clinics catering to outlying areas. Pregnant women are being subjected to a number of ultrasounds, for which there is no necessity, and indeed this can be harmful for the unborn baby, as declared by the radiologist’s association in the US. Privatisation is breeding a culture of excess screening and medical tests, a trend that is being exploited by the unscrupulous private health providers. A comprehensive legislation to safeguard public health rights must be formulated to address such concerns.

The discussion also highlighted the inefficacy of government schemes due to the many conditionalities that are being imposed on selection of beneficiaries, as also the stereotyped mindset that went into their formulation.

The participants noted that the neo liberal paradigm of development had led to devastating implications for women. They underscored the complex link between the market economy, and the erosion in women’s status. The agrarian crisis, and the consequent further devaluation of women’s work has led to her increased impoverishment and marginalisation. Unemployment and underemployment among women is high. The denial of nutrition and health care, made worse by the introduction of user fees in health institutions, the lack of a universal PDS, accompanied by a decline in the consumption of food grains, the repeated increase in prices of essential commodities, the huge increase in dowry, without property rights and asset creation for women – all these have created a matrix where the girl child is supremely unwanted. While dowry demands are escalating, property rights for girls are not implemented properly. In Haryana, the daughter who inherits property from the father is expected to sign over her share to her brothers- otherwise she is subjected to a great deal of harassment. The growing incidence of violence against women and girls transforms them into even more of a burden.

Thus, there are a plethora of factors leading to the girl child being killed or neglected to die before or after she is born, and it is necessary to address these comprehensively, for the government to arrest the decline in child sex ratios.

The meeting resolved to launch a nation-wide campaign and struggle highlighting the following issues:

• The government should implement the PcPNDT Act stringently and show political will to curb this crime.
• The Central Supervisory Board, and the equivalent state mechanisms, all the monitoring committees and appropriate authorities should comprise of members who have both knowledge of the law, and proven commitment to upholding the rights of girl children. All monitoring committees must be constituted properly. Swift punitive action should be taken against the offenders.
• The two child norm should be withdrawn with immediate effect, including all related incentives and disincentives.
• Existing schemes for girl children must be critically examined and reformulated such that they are universal and are not linked to any kind of conditionality and stereotypes.
• Monitoring for proper implementation of the Act must not violate privacy rights of pregnant women. The introduction of ‘silent observer’ in ultrasound machines should be reconsidered in this context.
• Rampant privatization of public health care should be curbed with an umbrella legislation on health care. Misuse of new technologies like the Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs) for sex selection should be prevented.

A call was given for state units of AIDWA to hold protest demonstrations and other programmes in the last week of May demanding proper implementation of the PcPNDT Act, and submit memorandums to the concerned authorities and officials on this issue.

CPI(M) urges government to regulate school fees in Tamil Nadu

The State committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Sunday urged the government to regulate school fees and enforce the recommendations of the Justice Govindarajan Committee as there was no new recommendation yet on the fee structure for the current academic year from the committee presently headed by Justice Raviraja Pandian.

In a statement party State secretary G. Ramakrishnan said the Private Schools Fees Regulation Act was enacted in 2009 to streamline the fees collected by them. The government had also ordered that the institutions could collect the fees recommended by the Govindarajan Committee during the academic year 2010-11.

However, most of the schools collected fees according to their whims, and some even collected fees without receipt indirectly and also as donations in contravention of the Act, Mr. Ramakrishnan alleged.

This led to parents and students taking to streets in various parts of the State while the institutions moved the court.

Ultimately, the court ordered that the committee should reconsider its recommendations with regard to 6,500 schools and announce its decision. Till then, these institutions could collect only the fees recommended by the committee.

Even if higher fees had been collected, that should be kept as a separate fund.

However, as Justice Govindarajan resigned from the post last year, Justice Raviraja Pandian was appointed chairman of the committee. And the new committee had been examining the plea of the 6,500 schools from the beginning of this year. But, with the new academic year (2011-12) about to begin and with no new recommendations forthcoming from the committee, Mr. Ramakrishnan pleaded that these institutions should be permitted to collect only the fees recommended by the Govindarajan Committee.”

Appeal

While appealing to the government to initiate action against institutions charging higher fees, the CPI (M) wanted the Justice Raviraja Pandian Committee to come out with recommendations at the earliest.

(Courtesy : The Hindu)

There is little clarity on the ground situation at the twin Greater Noida villages of Bhatta and Parsaul, where farmers have been protesting the land acquisition along the Yamuna Expressway for over two weeks now. A visit by Rahul Gandhi, which involved some engaging theatrics, has only added to the misinformation. An AIDWA (All India Democratic Women's Association delegation visited Bhatta-Parsaul villages in Greater Noida on May 19, to study the the unfortunate turn of events on May 7 that led to the deaths of two farmers (one from each village) and 2 constables of the PAC.

They found that there is clear evidence of Police brutality and repression in the two villages and that the entire episode reveals that the UP government has precipitated matters in due to its adamant and highhanded approach towards land acquisition. Given below are findings of the AIDWA team, comprising Sudha Sundararaman (General Secretary), T. N. Seema (Rajya Sabha MP), Ashalata (Secretary), Albeena Shakil (CEC Member), Asha Yadav (Secretary, Noida) and Lata Singh (Activist Noida), local leaders of the All India Kisan Sabha accompanied the delegation, namely, Uday Veer Singh Mallik, Kunwar Pal Singh Mallik, Chander Pal Singh and Gyanender Singh, as well as CITU leader of Noida Gangeshwar and Com. Bhati- a respected leader of that area.

PRESS RELEASE

We met several victims of violence and interacted with the women of the area. The delegation also interacted briefly with the SDM of the adjoining district who was visiting Bhatta village. Our findings are as follows:

1. Agitation against inadequate compensation: The farmers of Bhatta-Parsaul have been on a prolonged agitation demanding better compensation for their land. The agitators include both those whose lands have been acquired as well as those whose lands are set to be acquired in the coming days. While some farmers have received part or full payment for their land, we met no one who was satisfied with the compensation. Most wanted an arrangement wherein they could have a stake in the escalating land value. The farmers were demanding a transparent declaration of land use by the government since many felt betrayed that the land that was ostensibly acquired for industrial purposes was now in the hands of real estate developers.
2. Firing on 7th May: While the months old agitation by farmers was largely peaceful, there was no serious effort to resolve their demands by the administration. The exact sequence of events that led to the firing could not be ascertained, but it is clear that the adamant approach of the government played a big role in the unfortunate turn of events. The firing started between 1.30 to 2 pm on 7th May at the Dharna site near the Aata Chakki in Bhatta and continued till nearly 7 pm. Police brutality and highhandedness through forced entry into homes continued for the next 3 days. It is clear that rather than establishing the rule of law, the Police and the administration took law into their own hands.
3. Plight of families of killed farmers: We met Shmt. Omwati, widow of Shri Rajpal, from Bhatta village, who was killed on the 7th. He is survived by three school going sons and a married daughter. The family is living in debt incurred during the daughter’s marriage. Shmt. Omwati complained that the administration did not allow the family to bring back his body to the village and her son was compelled to perform the last rites away from his family and home. Shri. Rajbeer from Parsaul village was also killed on the same day in Police firing but we could not reach his family.
4. Villagers shot or injured: We met Shmt. Raghubir Udayveer whose son Daljeet is injured and hospitalized. Senior citizen Narender Singh was shot in his right leg on the 7th but was finding himself at a loss to return to the hospital for treatment in the absence of male members in the village to escort him. 85 years old Tej Singh Sarma was beaten with rifle butts, his 15 year old grandson was arrested and beaten up in police custody for 3 days. School teacher Navratan Sharma’s leg was fractured. Brick worker Prempal, son of Lakkhi Chandan suffered a broken shoulder but no medical aid has reached him. School teacher Navratan Sharma’s leg was fractured. The son and daughter-in-law of Shmt. Nirmala were hospitalized with bullet injuries. 70 years old Kela Devi’s grandson Kapil was in hospital with bullet injuries. Bhirender Singh, son of Ikram Singh suffered multiple fractures in his hands and legs. Both the legs and one hand of schoolteacher Bijender were broken. Suresh, a medical shop owner, suffered from broken fingers and rib. Praveen was injured on his head and suffered a cut wound in his stomach.
5. Jailed: To our knowledge a total of 28 people have been jailed from the two villages, 23 from Bhatta and another 5 from Parsal. We found women members of their families to be in extreme distress.
6. Terrorized Villagers: The Police chased agitating farmers into the villages and forced their entry into homes in Bhatta on the 7thand in Parsaul for the next three days. Victims reported that police stormed the village in thousands, ( one eye witness put the number at 5000) broke open doors, jumped walls, and resorted to a full scale attack on the villagers. We found evidence of large scale looting and damage to property. Most male household members have left their homes, leaving behind women. Only a handful have returned. The male household members of Jameela, a senior citizen, had not returned home. The Police looted the foodgrain in her house. She was asking for food since she was too afraid to go out to work. All villagers, irrespective of whether they were landowners or not, were targeted during these raids. We found most women to be still terrorized. While many men were injured at the dharna site, a large number was also injured during these raids. Many women also hid outside the village in farms for a day or two.
7. Damage to property: The Police inevitably damaged all modes of travel like motorcycles and cars during these raids. Even tractors and wooden carts were not spared. We found broken doors and broken household goods in many homes. The shop of Vinod Sharma was looted and his car damaged. Money was snatched from Shmt. Kanta Devi. Ranbeera and her mentally challenged son were beaten and the car and motorcycle in their home damaged. The household furniture and small shop of 55 years old widow Shmt. Munni was damaged. The hay stacks in Mukut Lal’s house were set on fire. The car, tractor and water pump of Shmt. Durga Sharma was damaged. 20 sacks of wheat were also destroyed. 2 motorcycles, 1 TV, 1 fridge, 1 cooler, 1 inverter, 1 Dish, and furniture were damaged in the home of Shmt. Dayawati. The motorcycle in the house of Shmt. Anita Choudhary was damaged. 2 motorcycles in the house of Shri Bhopal were damaged and an attempt was made to set them on fire. The motorcycle in the house of deceased farmer Late Shri Rajpal was damaged.
8. Violence Against Women: No women police were part of the village raids. It is clear that the Police went on a rampage in the villages. Inevitably the Police encountered women in homes and without exception all women complained about filthy abuses and physical assault. Among them, 18 years old Neha Sharma’s hand was fractured. Her mother Shmt. Kanti Devi was also hospitalized till yesterday with injuries. Shmt. Munni, a widowed woman was beaten in her private parts. We found several women with minor cuts and bruises on their bodies. Many were traumatized by the events, mentally and physically. AIDWA strongly condemns this barbaric assault perpetrated by the UP police in the villages of Bhatta and Parsaul. The kind of violence unleashed against women is abhorrent and must be dealt with firmly. However, no incident of rape was reported by the families we met.

This entire sordid episode reveals that the UP government has precipitated matters in Bhatta-Parsaul due to its adamant and highhanded approach towards land acquisition. There is clear evidence of Police brutality and repression in the two villages. Women have faced the brunt of Police brutality and are extremely terrorized. They are in distress about male household members who are injured, jailed or have left the villages fearing police attacks. We found them to be extremely intimidated about heavy police presence in the area and found one instance where even yesterday the Police knocked at a door at midnight. Efforts must be made to restore normalcy in the villages without delay. Medical and other facilities must be provided to the injured. Police presence must be phased off. The threats and intimidation by the Police and administration must stop so that people can return to their homes. Food must be provided to needy villagers. Adequate compensation must be paid to the villagers for loss of life and property. While the law must take its own course in the case of all killed, including the 2 PAC constables, the effort to take revenge upon all villagers must be discarded without delay. The investigation must keep in view the entire context of administrative highhandedness. The UP government must shed its highhanded attitude on land acquisition and must announce a meaningful dialogue with the agitating farmers. The Union government must amend that Land Acquisition Act without delay, which is at the root of the entire unfortunate turn of events. Representatives of the Congress Party must refrain from seeking to divert attention from this pertinent issue by making sensational claims and allegations. The Land Acquisition Act must be amended in a manner that makes consent of farmers essential for land acquisition and provides adequate monetary compensation, with a gender sensitive perspective. This must be combined with a stake for the land losers in the appreciated future value of land along with other livelihood options.

No FDI in Multi-Brand Retail

The Polit Bureau strongly opposes any move to allow FDI in multi-brand retail trade as suggested by the Inter-Ministerial Group on Inflation headed by the Chief Economic Advisor.

Having utterly failed to curb the relentless increase in prices of essential commodities, the move is to utilize that very failure to push for more concessions to multinational companies like Walmart. The specious arguments put forward that entry of MNC retail giants like Walmart will enhance efficiency of the supply chain and bring down the trading margins belie international experience which shows that any State regulation of these giant retailers are always rendered ineffective. In fact, MNCs will enjoy much greater monopoly power over both farmers and consumers and will manipulate prices to their benefit while at the same time, the livelihood of millions of small unorganized retailers will be virtually wiped out.

This is yet another instance of pro-MNC neo-liberal framework which will badly affect the Indian people. It is shocking that the Group of Ministers has refused to accept the Supreme Court direction to strengthen the public distribution system and distribute foodgrains to the people which is also one of the ways of controlling market prices. It is to be noted that the Inter-Ministerial Group has not suggested any meaningful step to curb food inflation, like enhancing agricultural productivity or stepping up public investment in storage and transportation. Options like strengthening the PDS and banning future trade in essential commodities are also being ignored.

The CPI(M) calls upon other political parties and organisations to protest against this retrograde move.

CPI(M) activists court arrest during ‘jail bharo' in Orissa

CPI (M) activists were taken to jail during the ‘jail bharo' movement of the party held in the Berhampur city in Orissa on Saturday. It was the third and final day of ‘jail bharo' movement of the party in Ganjam, the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to protest against anti-people and anti-labour policies of both the State and Central governments.

The leaders who got themselves jailed included the State secretariat member of the CPI (M) Ali Kishore Patnaik, city secretary of the party Basant Nanda, district committee members Aswini Sahu and Narasingha Sahu. During similar agitations 36 CPI (M) members had jailed themselves in Bhanjanagar and 64 party activists had been jailed in Chatrapur during past two days.

According to the decision none of the arrested persons would try for their bail.

Around 1,000 CPI (M) activists including women took out a rally in the city that started from Sahid Laxman Nayak community hall and culminated at local sub-collector's office.

There they preferred to break law and courted arrest. But at the request of the administration and the police the number of persons to be arrested and taken to jail was reduced, said Mr. Patnaik.

According to Mr. Patnaik respective sub-collectors in Bhanjanagar and Chatrapur had also made similar requests.

“It proves that such peaceful ‘satyagraha and jail bharo' which were weapon against Britishers before independence can now also be used to pressurise any government,” Mr. Patnaik said.

If such ‘jail bharo' movement continues and people come out in large numbers to go to jail then it will surely become a headache for the government, he added.

Before being transported to Berhampur circle jail, Mr. Patnaik said with the success of this recent movement it has been decided to hold similar ‘jail bharo' agitations in all blocks and tehsil headquarters of the district against wrong policies of the government.

(Courtesy : The hindu)

CITU demands immediate stopping of politically sponsored violence against CITU unions in West Bengal

The CITU Secretariat meeting held on 26-27 May 2011 at New Delhi expressed grave concern over the continuous violence and atrocities engineered by the hoodlums of Trinamool Congress and Congress on the trade unions and other mass organizations in different parts of West Bengal in the aftermath of the Assembly elections-result. Since May 13, already twelve were killed including two with a child burnt alive, which demonstrates extreme barbarism in the process of politically sponsored violence by the ruling regime.

Reports of physical assaults on the leaders, activists and even members of trade unions and other organizations, severely injuring many, and forcing the workers to leave CITU and join TMC led trade unions are pouring in every day. The preliminary reports contain information of incidents involving violent capturing of CITU affiliated union offices by armed TMC goons in different parts of the state; tearing off CITU flags, posters, placards, festoons, banners etc; ransacking of CITU offices etc. In many places, the employers also joined the armed TMC goons in intimidating and forcing to leave the CITU union.

Apart from incidents at various locations in Kolkata involving CITU trade unions in industries including Taxi and Auto Rickshow operators, Street Vendors, districts like Howrah, both the 24-Parganas, Bardhaman, Birbhum, Coochbehar also witnessed continuous violence, hurling of bombs in the office, extortion of huge money from the common workers and residents at gun-point.

The Secretariat of CITU condemns such vindictive and barbarous atrocities and violence on the workers and common people perpetrated by the ruling TMC-Congress led regime keeping the law and order authority a silent onlooker to such grievous and continuing incidents of arsons, physical assaults, loot, extortions and killings.

CITU demands upon the State Govt to out a stop to such continuing politically sponsored violence and atrocities on trade unions, workers and common people throughout the state.

CITU also appeals to all trade unions irrespective of affiliations to raise their voice against such politically sponsored violence on trade unions and mass organization with is designed to empower the employers and capitalists to benefit from terrorizing and weakening the workers’ organizations. Continuity of such politically sponsored violence is also an assault on democratic set up putting the peoples’ interests into jeopardy.

CITU Secretariat calls upon all its affiliated unions, state committees and industrial federations to unleash a countrywide campaign against the politically-sponsored violence on trade unions, workers and common people in West Bengal and observe a “Campaign-cum-Protest Week” on 6th to 11th June 2011 through public-meetings, issuing pamphlets in thousands detailing the barbarous atrocities on the workers and people in West Bengal, rallies, processions etc all over the country.

Surjya Kanta Mishra elected Opposition Leader in West Bengal Assembly

CPIM Central Committee Member and Former Health Minister Surjya Kanta Mishra was elected Leader of the Opposition in the new West Bengal Assembly on Friday. Surjya Kanta Mishra is elected from Narayangarh in Paschim Medinipur district. Making the announcement, Biman Bose, the Chairman of the State Left Front Committee, also said that the Left will not be nominating anyone for the post of Speaker whose election will be held on May 30.

Subhas Naskar, former Irrigation Minister of Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) , will be the new Deputy Leader of the Opposition. Bishwanath Karak, an All India Forward Bloc MLA from Goghat in Hooghly district, will be the Left's Chief Whip.

Com. BimanBose also announced that the Left Front will be observing State-wide protests on May 31. “We shall protest against the anti-people policies of the Centre including the increase in prices of petroleum products and fertilisers and reductions in subsidies as well as escalating prices of essential commodities. We shall also protest against the death of supporters and party workers who have been killed in the days after the results of the Assembly elections were announced,” Mr. Bose said.

CPI(M) activists begin ‘jail bharo' movement in Orissa

The CPI (M) activists started three-day long ‘satyagraha' and ‘jail bharo' movement from Thursday in Ganjam, the home district of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

On Thursday CPI (M) activists courted arrest in Bhanjanagar. During the next two days similar ‘satyagraha' and ‘jail bharo' movements would be held in other two sub-divisional headquarters of the district, Chatrapur and Berhampur.

The CPI (M) has taken up this agitation to protest against ‘anti-people and anti-labour policies' of the State as well as Central government.

Around 500 CPI (M) activists from Digapahandi, Aska, Bhanjanagar, Sorada, Belaguntha and Shergarh blocks had gathered up for the agitation in Bhanjanagar. They included over 200 women. All had come over to court arrest with the promise that they would not try for their release. They took out a rally from Biju Patnaik square and marched up to the office of the sub-collector. They were led by leaders of the party such as Basudev Gouda, Nilamani Guru, Kailash Sadangi, Gopal Panigrahy and Laxman Padhi .

The rally culminated in a public meeting which was addressed by the State secretariat member of the party Ali Kishore Patnaik along with other leaders. Mr. Patnaik said through this peaceful mean of protest they wanted to open the eyes of the legislators and the government who forget the plight of the downtrodden.

The “State government could all of a sudden hike salary and perks of MLAs to around Rs. 60,000 per month but it is yet to take any decision to hike minimum daily wage of menial workers who are overburdened by inflation despite repeated demands,” he said.

After the public meeting all these agitators courted arrest. The police took all of them into custody.

The “police and administration were in a fix regarding where to house all the arrested persons who included a large number of women. So, most of the agitators including all women were freed in the afternoon. But 36 leaders of the party from the six blocks were decided to be sent to Bhanjanagar jail,” Mr. Patnaik said.

These persons have decided not to make any effort for their release through bail. It may be noted that in April the State secretary of the party Janardan Pati had led a similar ‘jail bharo' movement held in Bhubaneswar. Mr Pati had spent more than a week in jail.

(Source The Hindu)

VS Achuthanandan elected floor leader of CPIM in Kerala

The CPI(M) Legislature Party has elected former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan as its floor leader paving the way for his choice as the Leader of the Opposition in the 13th Kerala assembly.

The CPI(M) Legislature Party, which met on Wednesday, also elected Kodiyeri Balakrishnan the deputy leader, M.A. Baby the party whip and A.K. Balan the legislature party secretary. The decision was announced by CPIM state secretary Com. Pinarayi Vijayan while briefing the press on the deliberations of the CPIM state committe.

CPI(M) demands 61 % quota for weaker sections in Andhra pradesh local bodies

The CPI (M) has demanded that the government continue 61 per cent reservation for weaker sections in the elections to the local bodies. The 61 per cent quota was implemented in the past three elections and efforts should be made to continue it in the forthcoming elections too by putting pressure on the Centre.

Speaking to reporters on the lines of the party's State secreteriate meeting on Monday, CPI (M) State secretary B.V. Raghavulu said the State government should emulate the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments which implemented reservations in excess of 50 per cent for the BCs. Expressing concern over the problems faced by different sections, he criticised the government for not resuming its work after the by-elections in Kadapa district. AICC general secretary Ghulam Nabi Azad's visit to the State failed to activate the administrative machinery as the ruling party continued to be busy settling its internal squabbles. The Congress also failed to evolve an amicable resolution to the demand for and against bifurcation of the State.

Mr. Raghavulu expressed concern over the reports on the constitution of the second States Reorganisation Commission claiming it would result in “unnecessary complications”. The CPI (M) was firmly against the second SRC as it would give scope for demands for separate States across the country. “Where is the need for a new committee when the government has constituted Srikrishna Committee which submitted its report in time?” he asked.

(Source : The Hindu)

Motor Strike total in Kerala

The dawn-to-dusk motor transport strike called by the joint action council of transport workers to protest against the hike in petrol price hit normal life in Kerala on Friday. The city and its suburbs wore a deserted look, as public and private vehicles stayed off the road. Only a few two-wheelers and private cars were seen on the roads. No public mode of transport was available including the services operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the private buses. Various trade unions staged protest marches through out the state.

Purulia Case and Terrorism : Shoddy Handling

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:

The production of an expired warrant of arrest for Kim Davy in the extradition case in a Danish court has exposed the casual way in which the CBI is dealing this vital case.   The shoddy manner in which the CBI is handling the extradition case of the prime accused Niels Holck alias Kim Davy only strengthens the apprehension that some high level authorities have something to hide regarding the Purulia Arms Drop. 

Despite Kim Davy’s revelation recently of how he escaped from India, the CBI has not investigated the role of the persons named by him. The CPI(M) reiterates its demand that a judicial enquiry be conducted into the entire affair of the Purulia arms drop.

The mistakes made in the list of wanted persons for terrorist activities living in Pakistan, prepared by the Central government has shown up the concerned authorities and the Home Ministry in a poor light and compromised India’s position in the matter.   The Government should take action against those responsible for this bungling. It has to reassure the country that security requirements will not be handled in such a cavalier fashion.

The Left will endure : Brinda Karat

The severe electoral defeat of the CPM and the Left Front in West Bengal will have dismayed and disappointed well-wishers of the Left, while some of its critics and opponents have already written its epitaph. If in Bengal, as happens in other parts of the country, the Left had lost every alternate election, perhaps the kind of fundamental questions on the ideology of the Left and its very existence would not have been raised. The change of governments, as in Kerala, would then have been taken as part of a “normal” democratic cycle. The mistake, it would appear, is to have won elections seven times in a row! 

It is not inconceivable that after 34 years, the slogan of change should have found resonance as it did in West Bengal — more so in the context of the coming together of a largely disparate range of political forces, from extreme Left to Right, with a little help from some in the media who played as opening batsmen in the team. According to provisional figures put out by a TV channel, while the index of opposition unity (IOU) in Bengal against the Left was as high as 84 on a scale from 1-100 where 100 represents total unity, in Assam the IOU against the Congress was much lower, at 60. 

At the same time, as the leadership of the Left has repeatedly stated, the subjective factors for the huge reduction in seats, the weaknesses and shortcomings, the various factors that have played a role will not be brushed aside, but identified and addressed. Intrinsic to the structures of a communist party is the culture of open and frank debate, criticism and correction. Unlike in most other parties, there is little room here for sycophantic choruses or a one-leader-decides-all syndrome in the decision-making and accountability processes at different levels in the party. These discussions take place within party forums and the conclusions are publicly reported. It is curious how contemptuous mainstream commentators are in their reference to this uniquely democratic process as being regimented.

But it is unlikely that such a review exercise will to lead to the kind of “reformed” Left that its critics are rooting for — a Left tamed by its defeat into accepting the set of economic policies that, in the name of growth, intensify and create new inequalities; a Left subdued into silence and non-action while labour rights are bulldozed; a Left which will acquiesce into accepting the almighty sway of foreign capital in the name of meeting the perceived aspirations of youth. This is not to say that policies remain ossified and unrelated to changes that take place in society. On the contrary, change is essential and inevitable — but in which direction and for whose benefit?

Social analysis based on the existence and development of different classes in society, with their divergent and often contradictory and conflicting interests, inform, in large measure, the economic and social policy formulations, the actions and movements of the Left. In Bengal, the Left movement was built brick by brick on the basis of this understanding, and the Left Front government was born in the crucible of the class struggle. In office, within the limited rights and resources available to state governments, the Left government had to a great extent been a symbol of alternative policies to those followed by the Central government, particularly through its historic achievements in the field of land reforms, development of agriculture, decentralisation and growth from below, and promotion of small and medium scale industries with a focus on providing employment. Ironically for those who see no development in Bengal, it is the World Bank that has assessed Bengal as being among the top states in the country in the reduction of poverty. Moreover, at a time when India was being torn apart by sectarian strife, Bengal under the Left became a beacon of hope for secularism.

The relentless pressure being put on the Left today is precisely to give up its class approach, to adapt itself to neo-liberal realities represented by the set of policies popularly referred to by workers as LPG — liberalisation, privatisation, globalisation. In the ’90s, in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the offensive of rightwing ideologues did see several Left formations in Europe succumbing and turning into appendages of this or that dominant ruling class formation. In India, the Left withstood that offensive. In today’s situation, the defeat of the Left in West Bengal has given new hope to the array of anti-Left forces but once again, such hopes will be belied and a stronger, rejuvenated Left committed to the interests of the working poor, the middle classes and the socially discriminated-against sections of society, will emerge from this experience. This will no doubt be helped by the fact that even in this election, over 41 per cent of the voters in Bengal stood with the Left.

In a parliamentary democracy, parties that have lost the elections are expected to accept the verdict and play the role of a responsible and constructive opposition. In spite of the absence of such a political norm in Bengal when the Left was in government, the Left Front has publicly committed itself to playing such a role. But the main concern today lies in the large-scale attacks that have already started through the planned, by no means spontaneous, targeting of party offices and worse, party supporters and workers. In a span of just three days, in areas where the people voted for the CPM, two local leaders have been killed, hundreds of homes of supporters burnt and families displaced. These families can return only if they pledge allegiance to the ruling combine. In the face of this violence, in the days ahead it is not just the Left and its supporters who will be tested, but the norms and functioning of Indian democracy itself. 

(Source : Indian Express)

Rich Tributes paid to Telangana Warrior - Com. P Sundarayya

CPIM observes May 19 as the Memorial Day of Com. Puchallappalli Sundarayya, one of the Stalwarts of communist movement in India and the First General Secretary of CPIM. Various programmes were conducted across Andhra Pradesh as tribute to the leader. CPI(M) rank and file in andhra paid rich homage to Putchalapalli Sundarayya on his 26th death anniversary and pledged to rededicate themselves by drawing inspiration from him. Sundarayya stood for values and was the pioneer of Communist movement in south India, in meetings leaders asserted his contributions to the communist movement.

Foundation Stone for Comrade Nayanar Academy laid in Kannur

The foundation stone for the  E.K. Nayanar Memorial Academy sponsored by Communist Party of India Marxist was laid in Kannur by CPI(M) State Secretary and trust chairman Pinarayi Vijayan on May 19. CPIM Central Committee Members Com. E P Jayarajan, Com. P K Sreemathi, Com. P Karunakaran MP were present during the occasion. Leaders came as a jatha to the site after paying floral tributes to the Great Communist Leader on his tomb in Payyambalam Beach. Com. Nayarnar's Family members were also present during the function. CPIM collected the money from common people of Kerala for building this monument.

The academy is being built on 3.73 acres of land at Burnassery in the Cantonment area where Thiruvepathi Mills was situated. The trust purchased the land from the mill management. The academy being developed will include E.K. Nayanar Memorial Museum, a library, an IMAX theatre, and a seminar complex.

A press release said the academy was being built to encourage studies and research on socio-political issues of the State. The museum would mirror the political and social evolution of the State. The theatre would be useful in introducing the region's agrarian struggles of the past to the new generation, and the library would have reference books for research scholars and students. It would have digital and audio-visual wings and a separate section for children. The seminar complex being developed at the site would have big hall with a capacity to accommodate 2,500 people and three smaller halls, a dining hall, guest rooms and parking facilities, the release added.

SFI Andhra Pradesh Committe to conduct State-level educational conference in

The Students Federation of India (SFI) will conduct a State-level Educational and Science Conference featuring classes by subject experts for its members at Manchikanti Hall in Khammam District of Andhra Pradesh from May 26 to June 1. In a statement, the SFI Andhra Pradesh State secretary K. Chandramohan said that renowned academician and MLC Chukka Ramaiah will inaugurate the conference. The subject experts including a host of former SFI leaders will deliberate on a wide range of issues concerning the welfare of the students and the education system as a whole during the classes. A two-day plenum of the SFI will be held at the same venue here on June 2 and 3. CPI (M) Andhra pradesh State secretary B. V. Raghavulu, noted academicians V. Balasubramanyam, K. S. Lakshman Rao, M. V. S. Sarma and others will participate.

Polit Bureau Communique

meeting of the Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was held in New Delhi on May 16, 2011. It has issued the following statement:

On Election Results

After being in office for a record thirty four years, the Left Front suffered a big defeat in the West Bengal assembly elections. The Polit Bureau decided to conduct a detailed review of the results and draw the necessary conclusions to ascertain the causes for this defeat. The Left Front government had over the three decades registered significant achievements. Despite these, there were shortcomings in the political, governmental and organisational spheres. It is evident that the people have opted for a change and the circumstances that led to this mood among the people should be properly assessed. The Party will seriously conduct this examination and take the necessary steps to overcome the shortcomings and reconnect with the people who have been alienated.

Those who have written off the CPI(M) and the Left Front on the basis of these results are not only mistaken but will be proved wrong. Despite the electoral reverses, the Left Front has got the support of one crore 96 lakh people which is over 41 per cent of the votes polled. The CPI(M) and the Left Front will unitedly work to expand this support base by assiduously championing the people’s interests both within the assembly and outside and launching struggles of the working people.

Kerala

In Kerala the LDF fell short of a majority by three seats. The electoral performance of the LDF shows that people have generally appreciated the work of the LDF government. The LDF polled 45.13 per cent of the votes cast which is only 0.89 per cent less than that of the UDF. The CPI(M) and the LDF will continue to work for defending the pro-people policies and will conduct struggles in defence of the interests of the working people.

The Polit Bureau expressed its gratitude to the tens of thousands of workers of the CPI(M), the Left Front in West Bengal and the Left Democratic Front in Kerala for the hard work they have put in during the election campaign.

Election Review

The Polit Bureau decided to convene a meeting of the Polit Bureau and Central Committee from June 10 to 12, 2011 at Hyderabad. After the review conducted by the State Committees, the Central Committee will finalise the Election Review and the steps to be taken to strengthen the Party and the movement.

West Bengal Attacks Condemned

The Polit Bureau noted that immediately after the election results there have been widespread attacks on the CPI(M) and the Left Front in different parts of West Bengal. Scores of Party offices and houses of cadres and supporters have been attacked. There have two murders of CPI(M) leaders in the last two days. In Garbeta in West Midnapore District, CPI(M) Zonal Committee Member Jiten Nandi was killed on May 14. A day later on May 15, in Bankura District, CPI(M) Local Committee Secretary of Saltora, Ajit Lohar was killed by TMC goons.

A list of the attacks which have taken place is attached.

The Polit Bureau demanded an immediate halt to the violence directed against the CPI(M) and the Left Front. The Trinamul Congress leadership has the responsibility to ensure that this violence is ended.

The Polit Bureau calls upon the entire Party and the Left forces to stand behind the CPI(M) and the Left Front in West Bengal to face this onslaught.

The Polit Bureau appeals to all democratic forces in the country to protest against such anti-democratic attacks and physical violence directed against the opponents of the ruling alliance.

Karnataka Crisis

The BJP government headed by Yeddyurappa has been fully exposed by the Supreme Court order quashing the disqualification of 16 MLAs of the Karnataka assembly. The judgment shows how through manipulation and illegal moves the MLAs were disqualified. The Yeddyurappa government has lost all legitimacy and should resign forthwith.

The CPI(M) is of the opinion that Article 356 should not be resorted to in Karnataka.

****************

Annexure

Instances of post-poll violence in West Bengal

West Midnapore district:

1. Goaltor: TMC goons surrounded Hoomgarh Local Committee office. When the Police, they forced the police to conduct a search, despite the police explaining that they did not have a search warrant. Nothing could be found. The police then asked the TMC goons to move out. When they refused, there was a lathicharge. Goons also surrounded Hoomgarh Local Committee Secretary, Sunil Gayen’s house and asked his son to surrender. The police intervened and stopped that. They attacked Local Committee Member Balai Biswas’s house. Com. Biswas suffered head injuries. They also beat up the executive member, in-charge of power of the panchayat samiti. They surrounded Party activist Gautam Ghosh’s house and tried to put it on fire. In Pathapara (No. 4 Gram Panchyat), they asked Party activist, Subrata Ahir to surrender. He alongwith some others escaped and took refuge in Sarenga Zonal Committee office in Bankura district.

2. Salboni: In Sijua Gram Panchayat, Sudarshan Das of Sijua Memul was severely beaten while he was on his way to Salboni alongwith his daughter. In Sijua, TMC goons are threatening our people in all the villages and asking them to surrender. They forcibly searched Sudhir Mahato’s house in Pirakuli. They could not find anything. In No. 5 Gram Panchayat, in Bankishol, two of our comrades, including Rampada Mahato were beaten up and kept in confinement in the TMC office. In Garhmal Gram Panchayat, they are threatening our supporters to surrender.

3. Belda: In Kunarpur Local Committee office, three activists alongwith Nirmal Singh were beaten up. They put up the TMC flag removing the CPI(M) flag. After the police intervened, they restored our flag. In Muradur, they are torturing our supporters from the minority community and imposing fines. In Manna Gram Panchayat, they hurled filthy abuses in front of our Local Committee office.

4. Midnapore Sadar: In No. 1 Panchkhuri Gram Panchayat – in Chherua, they are torturing families supporting our Party. They are threatening them to surrender. In No. 1 Gram Panchayat area of Sadar Block 1, which was affected by Maoist violence in the past – in Baghara and Shirshi, they are assembling their people to attack adjoining villages. In Gram Panchayat No. 4, our Party activist, Malay Barik, was severely beaten up.

5. Keshpur: In Mugbazar Gram Panchayat in Bajowara, Party activist Mobaitul was beaten. They attacked Bajowara Party office and forced our activists out of the office. In Amritpur, they attacked Tapan Das and beat him. He had to be hospitalised. In Neradeul Local Committee area – in the villages of Cherua, Shashagerra, Makul Chowk, Talkotai, Mahishagerra, Kashipota, they attacked our activists. Tapan Mondal of Kashipota village under No. 4 Golar Gram Panchayat was beaten up. They destroyed certain houses in Khetua, Taria and Rajgra.

6. Garbeta: In No. 7 Gram Panchayat area of Benachapra, Samadgayen was severely beaten up. Our Zonal Committee member, Jiten Nandi was severely beaten up. Later on, Jiten Nandi was killed and on 15^th a state level Left Front delegation visited the place. Com. Surjyokanta Mishra and Mohd. Salim were of this. In No. 7 Gram Panchayat, in Bhattagram, Kanai Giri has been severely beaten up. Some houses have been destroyed in Saita and Sidir Dorra of Fatesinghpur. In the Uttarmil village, they forcibly took Biswanath Mondal to the TMC office. In Jadavbati village, they are destroying the houses of many of our Party activists. In Phulberia, they have beaten up Sanmura Jaba. In Chandabila, they have destroyed the houses of Ataul Mallik and Shahan Mallik.

7. Chandrakonaroad: In Guai Daha, the Local Committee office was attacked. They beat up Zonal Committee member, Swapan Barik. They attacked the Party office functionary Shibu Ghosh. They surrounded the house of Zonal Committee member Ansar Mondal (counting agent) in Domahali village. They beat up his brother. Police arrived at the spot and conducted a search. Then the police removed the TMC goons. In No. 2 Gram Panchayat in Khagra, they are beating up our people. They forcibly closed down our Bahara Shol Party Local Committee office and attacked and threw stones at our comrades.

8. Chandrakona: TMC goons have destroyed two CPI(M) offices in Jhankra. They have beaten up quite a few of our members and supporters.

East Midnapore district:

1. Haldia: Our Trade Union offices have been destroyed and TMC flags have been hoisted on two of our offices here. One office was locked up. It was reopened after police intervention. Two Party branch offices have been destroyed. Threats are being handed out. There will be a victory procession by the TMC here, which raises apprehensions of further attacks.

2. Panskura West: On the night of the counting day, 13^th May, in Maishora, two of our Party leaders, Shamsad Ali –Zonal Committee Member and Kishore Pande – Local Committee Member were severely beaten up. Their hands have been fractured and they suffered head injuries as well. They continue to remain admitted to the Midnapore College Hospital. Throughout 14^th May, there have been major disturbances in the Maishora area. The Party leadership has been forced to leave their houses. Here also goons owing allegiance to the TMC are enforcing fines.

3. Bontai North: TMC goons have been threatening our Party supporters in No. 2 Gram Panchayat of Egra in Bathuari and attacking the houses of our activists and sympathisers. They have been going from house to house and intimidating our workers. Two families were forced to leave their homes.

4. Ramnagar: The TMC goons tried to put the Digha Local Committee and two other offices on fire. In Talgachhari, they beat up a Zonal Committee member, Com. Arabinda Patra.

5. Bhagwanpur: In Baroj Gram Panchayat – in Arjunnagar area, many of our sympathisers have been physically assaulted forcing them to leave their homes.

6. Nandigram: They have attacked and destroyed Reyapara Local Committee office. In Amdabad, they have carried out attacks on 5 to 6 houses while holding a procession. They have attacked the house of our district committee member, Com. Sujata Maity and put it on fire. They are assaulting our sympathisers and activists in Kanungochowk and West Birulia. About 65 people were forcibly vacated from their houses.

7. Tamluk: They have attacked, destroyed and locked up our Tamluk Rural Zonal Committee office. They have also destroyed our Gourangapur branch office under Nimtouri Local Committee.

8. Chandipur: TMC goons have occupied our Jagatitala branch office under Bibhishanpur Local Committee of Bhagwanpur Zonal Committee.

9. Khejuri: They have severely beaten up 7 to 8 people from Harijanpalli. Out of them, the condition of Paban Ghorai is critical. In Garrang village, they have severely beaten up people from eight families and are threatening them and asking them to leave the homes. Papers and documents at two Party offices in Sherkhanchowk and Dhangchurkunjatur, have been burnt. The Bartala Party Office has been locked by them.

10. Patashpur: In Barhat Gram Panchayat, two comrades including Shankar Majhi, in Paharpur 2 to 3 activists including Com. Goursamata, and two other activists from Vonara village were attacked. In villages of Madan Mohanpur, Chandan Khali, Mathura, Balyagovindpur of Patashpur 2 block and No. 12 Gram Panchayat, villages of Ichhabari Siari, Jabda, Kakhuria, Mangal Chowk, Laya of No. 14 Gram Panchayat and villages Mallikpur Sukakhola, Hinghibar and Bamanbar under No. 13 Gram Panchayat, widespread assault, arson and destruction have been carried out. They have locked our Southkhand Local Committee office.

Kolkata district: (13^th & 14^th May, 2011)

1. Ward No. 60 – From 14^th night, under the leadership of the Ward Councillor, 30 to 40 Trinamool workers attacked and locked a number of clubs and the ICDS Centre. They also intimidated a Local Committee Member.

2. Beleghata ward No. 34 & 35 – TMC goons have put Trinamool flag on two clubs and one library belonging to a social organisation. They beat up a Zonal Committee member, Amal Khatua who is also the Headmaster at a local school.

3. Ward No. 32 – They have selectively attacked 4-5 petty shops and looted them. They also beat three persons.

4. Ward No. 31 – They have locked up a club here. People of the locality protested and held a meeting.

5. Ward No. 57 – They tried to forcibly put colour on an old Left sympathizer. When he resisted, he was beaten up. When men and women of the locality protested, they threw a bomb.

6. In Sealdah, they threatened the workers and members of the rail hawkers and the taxi union. They hoisted TMC flags with the help of outsiders on the union offices. They have threatened them to stop work and have also taken away the hawkers union’s flag.

7. They have forcibly occupied the autostand at Dhapa. At Badha-Battala (Garden reach) and Khidirpur Ram Nagar autostand, they tried to create disturbance in order to put Trinamool flag. In Badha Battola taxi stand, they tore the CITU flag.

8. At Hathibagan, TMC goons have occupied the local organisation office and removed furniture and other things from there. Even after the police intervened, their threats did not stop. They locked the local office. The key is with the police now.

9. Ward 34 – In Chaulpatti, they went from house to house and threatened our people and even beat some of them. Due to these threats, two Committee Members could not go to their houses.

10. In Narkaldanga, they have beaten up hawkers.

11. TMC goons have captured the Joka Party office and damaged furniture and other equipment inside the office. In Joka Jiyadar Gaud panchayat, they are forcing the woman panchayat member to resign. They attacked the house of panchayat Pradhan Anand Pattra (Joka – I). His father was beaten up. The panchayat Pradhan was forced to leave the locality. His whereabouts are not known and we have not been able to establish contact with him.

12. Bikas Bor, a sympathizer in Joka-I was beaten up. After tying his hands and feet he was thrown into a canal. Some local people after coming to know of this, rescued him from the canal. They have beaten a helper, Shyamal, in the auto stand, opposite Joka Local Committee office. Some drivers of the stand were also involved. Unable to bear this, Bikas Bor and Anando Patro have left the place.

13. In Behala West Ward No. 130, TMC goons beat up Local Committee Member Kishore Bhowmic and Party member Gour Senapati.

14. TMC goons have occupied the union office of Webel at Taratala Hyde Road and Esab India. They have also occupied the Webel union office at Salt Lake. This was done under the leadership of one Krishnendu Chatterjee.

15. In North Kolkata Ward No. 7, a Left sympathizer was severely beaten by heavily drunk TMC men. Local people protested against this. Police detained two persons but released them afterwards.

16. In Ward No. 1, Ratan Basu Road, one Party comrade was beaten. They tried to forcibly occupy the auto stand. They have threatened to occupy the BMPEU office and have forcibly put up the TMC flag.