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Trinamul for Article 355 in West Bengal

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

The Trinamul Congress has demanded that Article 355 be invoked in West Bengal, citing the deteriorating law and order situation.

Reacting to killings of Trinamul workers, allegedly by Communist Party of India-Marxist supporters in Keshpur, state assembly party leader Sovandeb Chattopaddhyay told rediff.com that people were increasingly disenchanted with the partisan administration in Midnapore.

"CPI-M goons are killing our workers in the presence of law-enforcing agencies. Recent killings have proved that Marxist arsenals have been using sophisticated arms and ammunition, for genocide against our men. Is it a herculean task for police to maintain peace, if they are serious about restoring normalcy. In 10 days, of seven killed in Keshpur, five belong to the Trinamul. Since those killed belong to scheduled castes and tribes, it is imperative that the Centre acts without delay," Chattopaddhyay remarked.

On Wednesday, over 500 CPI-M activists allegedly attacked Trinamul-dominated villages of Saridia and Senkuasol, torching over 70 houses, gunning down Gauri De and Bhombol Panja, and fired at residents indiscriminately.

Residents of Keshpur said the attack was primarily to avenge the defeat in the Panskura by-election. Mohammed Salim, a Trinamul activist, told rediff.com over the telephone that Gauri and Bhombol had campaigned for Trinamul's Vikram Sarkar during the Lok Sabha by-poll.

Political parties have also reacted sharply to state director general of police Deepak Sanyal's comments that the police could nothing to improve the situation in strife-torn Keshpur till the next assembly election. Sanyal reportedly said that it was 'pointless' visiting Keshpur since he did not think the police could do much to restore normalcy.

Sanyal is visiting Midnapore to 'assess' the situation. He met inspector general of police (law and order) Prasun Mukherjee and Midnapore's superintendent of police Gaurav Dutta and is expected to meet leaders of political parties there.

The Trinamul and Congress have decided to raise the issue of deteriorating law and order in the assembly. Chattopaddhyay said that he would raise an adjournment motion. He expressed satisfaction that Congress leaders were with them on this issue.

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