Kolkata: Former CPI(M) MLA (Burdwan north) Pradip Ta and party district committee member Kamal Gayen were killed in a clash allegedly with ruling Trinamool Congress activists at Dewandighi in Burdwan districy on Wednesday.
Reports, quoting CPI(M) district committee president Amal Halder here, said both Ta and Gayen were attacked by Trinamool Congress supporters when they were leading a procession at Dewandighi in favour of the February 28 ‘Bharat bandh’ sponsored by trade unions belonging to the CPI(M), BJP and Janata Dal.
The Trinamool Congress o Tuesday threatened to ‘actively’ oppose the industrial strike.
The reports said the CPI(M) leaders were attacked by Trinamool workers with iron rods and other sharp-edged weapons, resulting in severe injuries to them.
While Ta died after being admitted to the Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Gayen succumbed to his injuries when he was being brought here for better treatment.
Contrary to the CPI(M) claim, the ruling party maintained that the clash occurred when some Leftist cadres prevented them from carrying party placards and posters protesting next Tuesday’s strike.
The CPI(M) would observe a 12-hour Burdwan bandh tomorrow in protest against today’s killing.
According to CITU state president Shyamal Chakraborty, the Trinamool Congress had become nervous and frustrated after the CPI(M)’s show of strength at the Brigade Parade ground last Sunday and was resorting to violence to stifle the opposition’s voice.
Incidentally, Commerce and Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee, interacting with newspersons here on Tuesday, said the Trinamool Congress would hit the street on February 28 to ‘actively’ oppose the strike.
Mr Chatterjee said his party workers would also mobilise public opinion against the stir through processions days ahead of the proposed strike.
Police said four Trinamool Congress supporters had so far been arrested in connection with the incident.
DIG, Burdwan Basab Talukdar and Superintendent of Police S M Mirja rushed to the area to take stock of the situation.
A large contingent of police besides RAF had been deployed in the area to control the situation. (UNI)