People's Democracy

APPREHENSION has been expressed that Peter K Bleach, main accused in the Purulia arms-drop case, may be set free with the alleged move to pardon this British citizen at the UK government’s request. Earlier, the centre had released the five Latvian crewmen at the Russian government’s request.

If pardon is granted to Peter Bleach, it will be detrimental to our national interests. The move will result in a complete cover-up of the alarming case that was aimed at the destabilising the nation.

It will be recalled that a large cache of arms, including AK 47 rifles and other sophisticated arms, was brought into India and dropped near the headquarters of the Anand Marg in Purulia in December 1995, a little before the assembly elections in Bengal.

It appears that these arms were to be used to disrupt the peaceful election process in West Bengal in 1996 as well as to intimidate the CPI(M) cadres with violence. It is surprising that the government of India did not understand the seriousness of the case whereby a sect had brought in large quantities of arms to create violence in a part of India. It seems that the real culprits have now got away with it. The key accused in the case, Kim Davy, just walked away at that time and has been untraced. Another kingpin, Randy alias Godwa Satyanarayana, is also free.

In an exposure, it has been noted that Peter K Bleach has admitted that the arms were to be used against the CPI(M)-led Left Front and to kill the supporters of Jyoti Basu who was at the helm of power. (See People’s Democracy, January 21).

Now the question that arises is of the lack of will on part of the BJP-led NDA government about getting to the bottom of the matter so as to prevent others from making any such effort to subvert the nation’s interests.

Now the situation in Bengal has turned a full circle and assembly elections are again due. Again an atmosphere of violence has been created in Bengal just before the elections. Another noteworthy thing is the fact that the Anand Marg, a pseudo-religious organisation that was involved in the arms-drop case, has a background of violence and murders, and seems to enjoy the blessings of the railway minister Ms Mamta Banerjee and the BJP. The recent attempts to escalate violence in the state seem to be aimed at intimidating the rank and file of the CPI(M) and the Left Front.

However, the Left Front is determined not to allow such an eventuality and has strongly opposed the centre’s move to close the arms-drop case. What is most pertinent is that the investigation must reach a conclusion and initiate action so that the culprits are severely punished. Any let-up will send a wrong message to the international community about the weakness of the government of India. The thrust of the government’s policy to control terrorism and anti-national sabotage would seem hollow in that case. (INN)