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Trinamul, CPM clashes in Midnapore claim five lives

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

Clashes between supporters of the Trinamul Congress and the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxists) have intensified in Keshpur region of Midnapore district, claiming five lives in the past three days.

There have been sporadic clashes between the workers of the two parties since the Panskura by-election last month. However, it is for the first time that these have resulted in deaths. Police sources said that CPM workers, on Sunday, went on rampage in the Trinamul-dominated Jhenuka village in Keshpur block torching about 300 houses and killing 32-year-old Arun Mondol, believed to be a Trinamul activist and a key functionary during the party's election campaign in Panskura.

Speaking to rediff.com from his office, Midnapore Superintendent of Police Gaurav Dutta said that Sunday's attack was apparently in retaliation to some Marxists' houses being set ablaze on Saturday, allegedly by Trinamul supporters.

"Earlier on Saturday, an enraged mob believed to be Trinamul supporters, attacked CPM cadres, injuring 30 before hacking a 48-year-old worker, Ram Mandi, to death. Eight critically injured persons are currently being treated at Midnapore Sadar hospital. State police reinforcements have been posted to ensure peace in the area," Dutta said.

Residents of Keshpur believe that Sunday's attack was primarily to avenge the death of CPM activist Srimanta Hansda at the hands of Trinamul supporters on July 6. Though police say only one person died in Sunday's attack, unofficial sources put the toll at three, making the total number of people killed in the political clashes to five in the past three days alone.

Mohammad Salim, a resident of Chutragarha near Keshpur, told rediff.com on phone that there was tension in the area following the political clashes. According to Salim, CPM men, exasperated over the defeat of their candidate in the Panskura by-election, have been attacking Trinamul dominated villages. "We had expected that these battles would come to an end after the election. But the situation is getting worse," he remarked.

Protesting the police's inaction, the Jharkhand Party (Naren) had called for a 12-hour strike in the area on Sunday. Its leader Chunibala Hansda, who was recently elected to the state assembly with the Congress' support, has demanded that a permanent police camp be set up in Keshpur.

Inspector General of Police(Law and Order) Prasun Mukherjee refused to comment on the issue. Mukherjee's reluctance to speak to media is understandable since the issue involves cadres of the ruling party.

Sources said that senior police officials were under intense pressure (from Writers' Building) to avoid talking to the press, especially on Sunday's attack. West Bengal Director General of Police Deepak Sanyal was not available for comment as he is on leave.

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