West Bengal bandh following attack on Mamata

A 12-hour bandh called by Trinamool Congress and its Marxist ally Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) has disrupted normal life in Kolkata and other cities across West Bengal. The strike has been called to protest the rising inflation and the failure of Centre and State governments in controlling the mounting price of essential commodities and also to remonstrate the attack on Mamata Banerjee’s convey in Nandigram on Sunday.

Nandigram even after a year seems far from stability; yet another incident at Nandigram shocked the whole nation in which two women supporters of Bhumi Uchched Pratirodh Samiti (BUPC) were gang raped allegedly by CPM supporters on Saturday.

Besides, on Sunday, the convoy of Trinamool Congress chief, Mamata Banerjee was attacked by CPM supporters, she was on her way to Praminikpara to visit the victim, and reportedly her convoy was hit with stones by CPM activist in presence of police.

Mamata has alleged police of not arresting those who have been accused of rape, she complained, “No action has been taken by the police against the Marxist cadres who committed the crimes in Nandigram on Saturday even though FIRs naming the accused had been filed.”

Shishir Adhikary the local TMC leader who was accompanying Mamata said that the mob was mainly constituted of armed women led by the local CPM leaders who attacked the convoy with bricks and lathis, terming it as a plot to terrorise the voters before panchayat poll.

He alleged that media person as well as many others were injured in the violence led by CPM goons.

Shubhendu Adhikary, another Trinamool Congress leader faced the same fate when the activist blocked him to enter the village where police stood like a silent spectator, he accused the police of supporting the CPM cadre who are on vandalizing spree.

Later, Mamata lodged a complaint against the Nandigram OC, Debasis Chakraborty for being failed to provide security. She said, “If they can attack us, you can imagine the condition of the common people. Why are they (the CPI-M) doing this to us? Yesterday, when I had gone to the hospital in Kolkata to see the rape victim, I announced that I would visit Nandigram today.”

Criticizing the administration she alleged that even after knowing in advance that she will be visiting the place the district administration did not provide enough security, jittery Mamata told that the police who is known to take prompt action against her supporters silently supported the attack led by CPI activist.

While there were allegations, there were also counter allegation as the CPI (M) leader accused Mamata instigating fresh trouble in area where Panchayat election are due to be held on May 11.

Also SP East Midnapore, S Panda, said, “Sufficient police cover was provided to her. Two officers of ASP and SDPO rank were escorting her. Somehow the matter got out of hand. I have heard that she has lodged a complaint against some police officers. We’ll definitely probe that allegation.”

Additional force has been deployed at several areas in the village to check any such further violence.

Though the first violence erupted in March 2007 while BUPC supporters were protesting against the proposed SEZ in Nandigram, since then even when SEZ is no more in the agenda the two rival group CPM and BUPC supporters have involved in many such act of violence.

Bengal bandh

The state-wide bandh called by West Bengal's main opposition Trinamool Congress and SUCI to protest against price rise and also the alleged attack on party leader Mamata Banerjee has largely affected normal life in the state.

In Kolkata, bandh activists have held anti-government rallies to protest the rising inflation across the country and government’s incompetence to tame price rise. The 12-hrs strike has so far affected routine life of schools, universities, offices and businesses disrupting bus and train services.