Kolkata: A former CPI-M parliamentarian and a sitting legislator were injured in attacks, while a former party lawmaker was made to hold his ears and promise that he would quit the Marxist fold by assailants allegedly loyal to West Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress on Saturday.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist complained that the ongoing ‘jathas’ (march programme) brought out by Bengal Platform of Mass Organisations (BPMO) comprising 113 Left organisations across the state came under attack in various districts, grievously injuring many of its leaders and workers.
The Trinamool, on the other hand, accused the opposition of “attempts to spread violence and terror in villages” in the name of political movement.
The march was aimed at intensifying mass contact ahead of next year’s assembly polls and in support of a 15-point programme that includes protests against the “growing intolerance” in the country and “attacks on democratic rights” in the state.
Mayureshwar in Birbhum district saw the worst violence as former CPI-M Lok Sabha member Ram Chandra Dome, legislator Ashok Roy and 18 party activists sustained injuries.
Television grabs showed a trembling veteran CPI-M leader and two-time legislator Dhiren Let, purportedly surrounded by miscreants, being made to hold his ears on the orders of some men whose voices were only heard.
He was made to utter “I won’t work for the CPI-M” and “I won’t take part in the jatha”.
The CPI-M alleged that the ‘jathas’ also came under attack in West Midnapore’s Pingla, Jhargram and Manikpara. (IANS)
